Our SEND Offer
Our Special Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SEND Co) is Mrs Hannah Firmstone
- BA (Hons) PGCE Early Years with QTS
- Post Graduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs Coordination
Our Vision
Our vision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is the same as for all children. We want every child to feel safe, valued and included, with the opportunity to develop, learn and achieve their full potential.
At Oakengates Nursery School, we recognise that every child is unique and develops at their own pace. We have high aspirations for all our children and aim to nurture their confidence, independence, communication and love of learning, helping them to build the foundations for happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.
We are committed to providing an inclusive, stimulating and nurturing environment where every child can access meaningful learning experiences through play, exploration and positive relationships. We value the knowledge and experience of parents and carers and believe that working in partnership with families is essential to helping children thrive.
How We Support Children with SEND
We recognise the importance of identifying children's needs as early as possible and providing appropriate support promptly. During the early years, children develop rapidly, and we carefully observe their progress, communication, interactions, play and emerging independence.
Where a child may need additional support, we work closely with parents and carers to understand their strengths and needs and agree appropriate next steps. Support may include adapting play experiences, using visual resources, providing targeted activities, making changes to the environment and seeking advice from specialist professionals where appropriate.
We regularly review children's progress and the effectiveness of the support provided. We also work in partnership with the local authority, health professionals and other relevant services to ensure that children and their families receive appropriate advice and support.
Our approach is guided by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (2015) and relevant equality legislation.
What Are Special Educational Needs and Disabilities?
A child has special educational needs (SEN) if they have a learning difficulty or disability that calls for special educational provision to be made for them.
A disability, as defined by the Equality Act 2010, is a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Some children have SEND, some have a disability, and some meet both definitions. We consider every child's individual circumstances, recognising that children develop at different rates and may need different levels of support.
Children must not be identified as having SEND solely because they are learning English as an additional language. However, we recognise that children learning English may also have additional needs, which we consider carefully.
The Four Broad Areas of Need
The SEND Code of Practice identifies four broad areas of need. These help us understand children's individual strengths and difficulties and plan appropriate support.
Communication and Interaction
Some children may need additional support to develop their speech, language, understanding, communication or interactions with others. This may include children with speech, language and communication needs or autism.
Cognition and Learning
Some children may need additional support to develop their understanding, thinking, memory and early learning skills. This may include children with specific learning difficulties or more significant learning difficulties.
Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Some children may need support to develop emotional regulation, build relationships, manage feelings and feel secure within the nursery environment. This may include children experiencing anxiety, attention difficulties or other social, emotional and mental health needs.
Sensory and/or Physical Needs
Some children may need additional support because of visual or hearing impairments, physical disabilities, sensory needs or medical conditions that affect their participation in nursery activities and everyday routines.
Children may have needs across more than one area, and these examples are not exhaustive. We recognise that needs can present differently in very young children and that early support can make a significant difference to their development.
Working in Partnership with Families
We believe that parents and carers know their children best. We encourage open communication and work together to share observations, discuss concerns and celebrate progress.
Where appropriate, we work with other professionals to support children's development and ensure that advice and strategies are shared effectively between home, nursery and any specialist services involved.
Our aim is to ensure that every child at Oakengates Nursery School feels a sense of belonging, enjoys positive relationships, develops independence and has the opportunity to flourish.
