3 rooms - Toddler room / middle room Pre School 

The toddler room hosts our youngest children who are 10 months-2 years old. The environment is warm, welcoming and cosy and we have fenced off areas in order to keep the children in smaller, quieter groups. In this room we have dedicated sleep rooms with wooden cots and beds, messy play areas, rooms for soft play and other activities and a bespoke ‘cosy corner’. The high ceilings are home to over 20 house plants to help maintain our very good air quality.

Children move over to the Middle Room when they are over two years old. The room has been designed so that children can start to be more independent, choosing their own activities and learning to manage their own care routines such as washing hands before meals and putting their outdoor clothing on. The Middle Room is a language rich environment with versatile spaces for storytelling, puppet shows and role play. Children aged 2-3 are learning to share, take turns and manage their emotions so in the Middle Room there is a big emphasis on learning social skills and self-regulation.

The pre-school room opened in January 2023 and was designed from scratch by our Pre-School Team: Megan, the Room Leader who has a degree in Early Years and Childhood Development, and Laura our Early Years Teacher.

They wanted to create a space that provided opportunities for self-chosen and adult led activities, which was inviting for children without being over-stimulating. Although there is an emphasis on ‘school readiness’ in the pre-school room, there is no ‘formal’ teaching and all learning takes place through play. The curriculum in the pre-school room evolves from what the children have learned in middle room, taking into account he children’s broadened interests and supporting their creativity and critical thinking.

We also have a large outside space.

Nurseries and playgroups must help all children who go to their settings, including those with special needs.

They do this by:

• Having a SEND Policy. This explains how they help children with additional needs. You can find it on their website or ask staff for a copy.

• Specialist Support: A team member called a SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) has training and experience to help children with special needs. They will work with you as the child's parent and if needed, other specialist services.

• Staff Training makes sure staff know how to identify and help children with different needs.

• Working with Health Visitors to review development, progress, and identify needs e.g. 27th Month Review.

• Connecting with Children's Centres to get Early Help or MAT (Multi Agency Team) support if needed.

• Help with Transitions from the Area SENCo when children with SEND move on to reception class or primary school,

• How to access support from education and health specialist services. Your permission is needed before they can be involved.

Extra support funding for children with additional needs

To get extra help for children with special needs settings will know about:

• Disability Access Fund (DAF). When and how to apply for this funding for eligible children.

• Early Years Inclusion Funding. When it may be appropriate to apply for this funding for children with new or emerging needs. 

• Education, Health, and Care Assessment (EHCNA). When to request an EHCNA. If a child with SEND needs more support that can be provided through the above an EHCNA may identify they need an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plan funded from the high needs funding block. EHC Plans are reviewed every six months for children in early years settings.

Staff in settings are there to support all children, including those with special needs. If you have questions, please ask to speak with the settings SENCo.