SEN Policy

It is important to acknowledge the needs of each child as an individual and to tailor the level of challenge accordingly. Staff at our nursery are aware of the obligation to children of differing needs and pay due regard to the Governments Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs and the Inclusion Development Plan.

Aims

The aims of this policy are to:-

1. enable all children within our settings to receive the opportunity to reach their full potential
2. allow parents/carers to receive the external help and advice that they need in order to facilitate their child’s development
3. help all staff identify children’s needs and develop Individual Learning Plans where necessary

The named SENCO for the nursery is Jillian Pascale.

Admissions

Where facilities permit, children with special educational needs are welcomed into our nursery. The setting has suitable access for wheelchair users. An adapted toilet is also available.

Identification of Special Educational Needs

This follows three main procedures.

1. Gathering information about the child through background information, observations and meetings with parents.
2. Taking action to meet needs by forming Individual Learning Plans, involving outside agencies and meeting with parents
3. Monitoring and reviewing progress through continued observations, assessments and regular meetings with parents.

All information accrued will be shared with parents and other agencies as appropriate. At all other times, records are treated confidentially.

Curriculum

All children will be included in the day to day curriculum with appropriate differentiation. Where an IEP’s requires it, one to one teaching or specific activities will be provided.. In these cases, each child’s needs will be assessed and catered for as far as is reasonably practicable. Where practical any recommendations made by outside professionals will be incorporated into the child’s daily routine.

Complaints Procedure

Where a parent/carer feels that they have cause to complain they should follow the nursery’s Complaints Procedure.

Staff Training

As far as possible, staff will be able to further their knowledge and understanding of SEN by attending training courses as appropriate.

Review

This policy is due for review in June 2009.

 In September of this year the new Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum is roled out in all nursery schools, pre-schools and school reception classes.

Within the theme of Enabling Environments, a strong emphasis is being placed on the importance of accessing the outdoors for a greater range of activities.

At Rum Tum Tugger’s Nursery in Harlow, we are blessed with lots of outdoor space and we have an on-going program of outdoor development. We have outdoor easels and chalk boards and, weather permitting, our planned activities can take place outside too. The photo shows a craft table set up in our courtyard area for a sticking activity. Sun hats are a must!

Staffing Structure

Jillian Pascale FD Mont Dip EYPS                  

Operations Director                                

Appointed Person

SENCO                                                                            

Health & Safety 

Hayley Martin-Burns BSC (Hons) EYPS

Business and Finance Director

Appointed Person                                              

Equal Opportunities

Inclusion and Looked After Children 

Safeguarding Children                                                                                                   

Deputy Managers

Linsey Brown NVQ III (Working towards CCE)           Laura Boutlwood NVQ III (Working towards FD)  

Appointed Person, First Aid

Food Hygiene Certificate

Health and Safety Officer

Equal Opportunities Representative

Rumpleteazers                                                          

Sharon Nicoll NVQ III SENCO                                                  

Rebecca Street (Working towards NVQ II)                                                                                     

Mungojerries

Amanda Hide, NVQ III

Safeguarding Children Rep

Lauren Kent NVQ III

Fire Officer

Charley Rowley NVQ II (On Maternity Leave) 

Anneleise Hickson NVQ II (Working towards NVQ III)

Jes Bower (Working towards NVQ II)

Gemma Edmore NVQ II 

Tiny Tugger’s                                             

Laura Cook  NVQ III Norland Nanny                                              

Toddler Team                        

Amy Davies, NVQ III

SENCO

Anna Goodship NVQ II

Emma Vickery, Nursery Assistant

Relief

Louise Baker NNEB       

Carly Bird (Working towards NVQ III)

Catering Team    

Julie Mesher, Catering Manager                                                      

Maureen Jones, Lunchtime assistant

Food Handling Policy

At Rum Tum Tugger’s Nurseries we strive to maintain the highest possible food hygiene standards. All staff will be given a Food Hygiene Induction within the first week of employment and access to appropriate personal protective equipment. It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that these items are utilised properly and that the correct procedures are followed for storing, handling and preparing food. All members of staff will be expected to undertake the Foundation Certificate in Health and Hygiene at the earliest opportunity.

Reviewed June 2008

The pictures here show the results of an art acitivity that the Mungojerries did recently. These children vary in age from 24 to 36 months. The aim of the activity was to put together a collage of a bears face from pieces of pre-cut paper.

Following a brief description of the aim, the children were allowed to freely interpret the idea. The results show that during this interesting stage of development, children learn about self image and can relate the idea of eyes, ears, nose and mouth into a 2 dimensional form.

From this activity, the key workers at Rum Tum Tugger’s Nursery, Harlow learn where children are in developing these skills and plan to include other activities to promote self awareness. These may include games with mirrors, opportunities to look at and talk about photos of themselves and other people, and traditional singing games like “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” .

At present, this falls into the Birth to Three Matters Framework, A Strong Child – A Sense of Belonging. Later this year, the new Early Years Foundation Stage comes into play and these same ideals fall within the Learning and Development Theme and the Physical Development Aspect.