Copthorne Kinder's Local Offer
What can I expect if I feel my child requires additional support, or the nursery team has identified my child may have special educational needs or disabilities?
At Copthorne Kinders, we understand that every child is unique, and we have a strong ‘open door’ policy. Parents and families are welcome in the nursery, so you may share your concerns about your child’s development privately at any time. The nursery will allocate a key person to your child who will be responsible for their development, and through observations and planning for your child’s developmental next steps, we are able to identify any concerns which we will share with you, and where appropriate, and with consent, we will contact other professionals if required.
How will Copthorne Kinders support my child?
Your child’s key person will work with both you and your child. This partnership ensures knowledge is shared concerning your child and their development. On registering and starting at Copthorne Kinders, we ask that you complete the ‘All about Me’ section, which will help us get to know your child and their routines. We will have regular meetings to share your child’s progress and celebrate their achievements. We will also plan the next steps together with you. Should support from other professionals be required, we will work with families to ensure your child receives the support they need to further their development.
With your permission, we may refer your child for additional help, and a health professional may visit your child in the setting. We ensure we follow any advice and strategies they offer so we can consistently support your child.
How will both you and I know how my child is doing, and how will you help me to support my child’s learning? 
Your child’s key person will frequently update you with information regarding your child’s achievements and progress in the setting, as well as noting any new interests they may have. We welcome information from you about what your child has been doing at home and what they are interested in. This enables us to understand your child and how we can best support them in developing and extending their learning.
How do we support your child’s well-being? 
Before your child starts with us, we offer ‘settling in’ sessions that help you and your child familiarise yourselves with the nursery and its environment. This also gives us an opportunity to discuss any concerns regarding support and care routines before your child commences their regular sessions. We understand that all children are individual and that some take longer to settle than others, so we can formulate an individual settling-in plan as appropriate.
We are able to administer prescribed medicines once the appropriate permission paperwork has been completed/the child is not allergic to the medication, and Insurance cover is agreed (if applicable). Staff will attend additional training to administer medicine if required. Copthorne Kinders works hard to ensure that positive behaviour is always promoted within the setting, and staff will be happy to discuss any concerns with you so that a consistent approach can be maintained between your child’s home environment and the setting. The safety of your child is paramount.  Children are signed in by staff when you bring them in and signed out when you collect them, and we ask for details if anyone other than those with parental responsibility will be collecting them. We ask for a password to be given. We do not allow any child out of the premises if the person collecting them is not known to the setting.
Risk Assessments for our equipment and activities are regularly undertaken and reviewed in line with The Early Years Foundation Stage Guidance. Risk assessments are also undertaken prior to any trip or visits.
What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by Copthorne Kinders? 
We work with all professionals as appropriate for each child and encourage these professionals to come and visit the relevant children in the setting. If required we will make a referral to early years SEN professionals, once parental consent has been obtained. Parents/carers are included in this aspect of support. Similarly, we work with the Portage service and Sensory Support when appropriate to ensure that there is a consistent approach for the child both at home and within the nursery. If speech and language concerns are identified either by yourself or by the setting, we advise parents to ensure their child attends Speech and Language sessions where possible. If you do have access to Speech and Language Therapy sessions, we ask that you share any exercises and strategies with us so that we can all support your child in a consistent way.
What training have staff supporting children with SEN had, or having? 
The staff continually receive and update their training.  All staff are qualified within Early Years or currently studying for qualifications.  Staff have attended courses including Promoting Positive Behavior, supporting children with English as an Additional Language, Let’s Get Talking. Our training is reviewed and monitored regularly; staff undertake training where necessary.
How will my child be included in activities outside the setting, such as trips or visits? 
We invite and welcome all children to attend trips.  We will notify you prior to the trip and discuss any particular needs or issues that could arise. We complete Risk assessments as necessary and ensure that we have sufficient staff or volunteers to assist. A register is always taken as is a mobile phone and first aid kit in case of emergency.
How accessible is Copthorne Kinders? 
Our nursery is situated in a large open plan space, all on one level, the entrance is wide and accessible .The nursery has 3 age-appropriate sections, however, at times children can free flow into all areas. The nursery also has access to a large outdoor area, with a separate baby area for children under 2 years old. Any activities that are planned within nursery will be adapted to meet children’s needs. Our staff are happy to spend additional time giving support to parents if required.
How will Copthorne Kinders prepare and support my child with transitions to new settings or school? 
We encourage you and your child to take advantage of settling in visits prior to your child’s start date. This will help to aid a smooth transition, hence you and your child are prepared for Nursery and our environment. Your child’s key person will work closely with you to develop a settling in routine to match your child’s needs. If a child attends more than one setting or is moving to a different setting, we share the child’s ‘next steps’ with that setting, this practice promotes consistency so that we can all offer the appropriate support.
We liaise with local schools to arrange visits both for the children to visit the schools and for the Teachers to visit the children in their Nursery environment, which supports their transition to School.
How are Copthorne Kinders’s resources used to support children with special educational needs? 
We constantly review our resources, ensuring we maintain a wide variety of equipment /resources to support your child. We also ensure Staff attend any specific training necessary. Copthorne Kinders is also a member of Crawley library so can borrow books and reading aids, we also invite the library to come into the setting to read to the children.
How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?
The Manager and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) will work closely with you and other professionals to determine your child’s needs and how best we can all support them.  We have regular meetings where all staff involved in the care of your child are involved and discuss support and strategies to ensure that it is appropriate, whilst observations made by their key person will assist in identifying any additional support required. Similarly, to aid continuity the nursery and other professionals may develop play plans to ensure that all staff working with your child are following the same strategies and goals.
How are parents involved at Copthorne Kinders?  How can I be involved?
We like you to be involved all the way through the time your child is with us. We aim for you to work closely with your child’s key-person and SENCO. We have many opportunities for you to get involved in the nursery, including parents’ consultations, day to day conversations and an open-door policy and using our Famly App. We share information through daily feedback, newsletters, notice boards, e-mails, and provide opportunities to discuss progress or changes required for your child on a regular basis. We understand that there are many ways a parent/carer would like to get involved and are happy to arrange this with you on an individual basis.
Who can I contact for further information? 
There is further information in our Policies regarding Equality of Opportunity, supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Working in partnership with other professionals as well as how we work with you as parents. These can be viewed either on our website in “parent’s areas or within the nursery.
If you would like to register your child or discuss any matter relating to our provision or our Local Offer then please contact; Eliane Weller – Manager/SENCO , Becy Hardy deputy manager