Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy
Aims
At Springfield Park Road nursery we aim to be inclusive and welcome every child regardless of any additional needs. We believe in valuing all children and adults as individuals and aim to support any specific needs as far as possible.
Named SENCO
If parents have any concerns about their Nursery child’s progress they are invited to talk to our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) Anisa Shahban, or Asma Ammora (room based SENCO).
Mini Springers SENCO – Sabihah Ismail
Partnership with Parents
Parents of Nursery children are encouraged to discuss their child’s development with their child’s Key Worker at any time.
If there are concerns regarding a child’s progress, it will be discussed firstly with their parents and then, with their permission, with any outside agencies deemed appropriate. Concerns regarding a child’s development may be documented over a period of time for this purpose. Confidentiality is maintained at all times.
Parents are asked to disclose all necessary information and any additional needs that their child may have. This is in the best interests of the child and we believe that children benefit most from early year’s education and care when parents and settings work together in partnership.
In Nursery, parent consultations are planned for each term through ‘Stay and Plays’, and written reports are issued for all children in July each year.
Facilities, Staffing and Training
We meet all adult to child ratios and many needs can be provided for within the normal service groups. Flexibility and deployment of staff are adapted to meet children’s individual needs. Staff regularly attend training in Special Educational Needs. More specific training is accessed as required. Anyone who attends training feeds back what they have learnt to the rest of the staff and plans are made to implement the new information received.
We have a purpose-built facility which is fully accessible for all.
Park road have access to an outdoor play area which is accessible to all children.
Resources and Learning Environment
At the nursery we aim to plan a curriculum which will challenge and excite all the children and develop each ‘independent learner’ at a pace that is meaningful to them. Pictures, books, and equipment will be used promoting positive images of children/adults with disabilities.
If a child has needs which mean they will require additional resources not provided within the existing setting, we will endeavour to do our utmost to provide for that child. The existing environment can be adapted further, with sufficient space around tables, as well as access to mats and activities on the floor.
Identification and Assessment
We have regard to the Special Educational needs and Disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice 2015, aiming to ensure the early identification of children’s needs and the provision of appropriate intervention to support them. We will also ensure that parents, and children where appropriate, are involved in decision making.
Key workers in Nursery regularly assess children’s development and play plans are written for children who need extra support in certain areas of their learning; these are then implemented by the Key Worker as well as other members of staff to give each child the opportunities they each require. Where a child needs further support, the SENCO will put in place SEN and early support plans, in consultation with parents. When liaising with a child’s future setting, relevant information regarding SEND will be passed on. Future settings will be invited to meet children and attend meetings regarding children who have SEN and early support plans.
Links with Support Services and other agencies
The Nursery SENCO receives advice and support from an Area SENCO, who is part of the Early Years Inclusion Support Team.
For children to get the support they are entitled to and have full access to the curriculum, where concerns are raised about any child within the nursery, staff will contact other professionals with parent’s permission (e.g. health visitors) and referrals will be made to relevant agencies, such as speech and language therapy, as appropriate.
Monitoring the Policy
Please see the end of this document for the date on which it was last reviewed. We aim to review the policy each year, also, as and when new legislation is issued or changes in the setting require it. This policy is a working document and is therefore being referred to constantly to ensure all points are implemented in each child’s case.
This policy was revised on May 2026 by Nursery Manager & SENCO.
Next review date: September 2027
