Local Offer SEND

Local Offer

TCC Christian Preschool Local Offer

1 How our setting know if young children need extra help and what our parents/carers should do if they think their child may have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

We use Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) outcomes as a guideline for development. We also use early years support if we have any concerns. Each child has a key worker who observes their development and they are able to identify their needs. We regularly liaise with parent about development with reports and meetings.

2 How our setting supports young children with SEND

Our setting has a SENCO and assistant SENCO. Each child has a key person who liaises frequently with parents face to face and via a home school diary. If a child has SEND we work closely alongside the parents to ensure we are meeting and providing what their child needs.

3 How our setting creates learning and development opportunities for individual children with SEND

Our setting has children between the ages of two and four years eleven months and we recognise there will be a need for differentiation so we ensure that each activity provided can be extended or made simpler depending on each child's needs. A child with SEND will be able to freely choose activities with a range for all ages and abilities. Adult led activities are based around children's need and interests and adapted as necessary for each child.

4 How our setting works in partnership with parents/carers

We share information with the parents/carers via home school diaries, key person and parent meetings, information boards, newsletters, social media, parent response questionnaires and reports and learning journeys. We track progress using Early Years Outcomes and Early Support.

5 How our setting supports the wellbeing of young children with SEND

We carry out daily and termly risk assessment. Positive behaviour is supported with verbal praise. We use a kind and helpful tree and a traffic light behaviour system. We would consult with the primary carer about specific risks and health and safety needs and adapt things as necessary to meet their needs. All children are encouraged to participate in contributing their view, either verbally or through visual aids. We would administer medicines to provide personal care as trained and instructed.

6 Staff training and experience in supporting young children with SEND

First aid, Safeguarding, Designated Person Safeguarding, ENCO, Behaviour Levels 1 & 2, Special Educational Needs Code of Practice, Working with Parents, Inclusion Development Programme, (1. SLC, 2. Autism, 3. BSD), Makaton, English as Additional Language, Epilepsy and Anaphylaxis Awareness, Power of Puppets, Using Visual Strategies.

7 Specialist services and expertise accessed by our setting

Diabetic nurse, EYFSA, Area SENCO, Health Visitor, Speech and Language therapist, Children's Centres, Lighthouse, Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapists, Behaviour Support.

8 How our setting includes young children with SEND in community based activities and outings

Parent helper list, involve them in trips and encourage them to come along as helpers, All outings are risk assessed beforehand and open to all children taking any needs into account and preparing for those before,

9 Our accessible environment

We have an Equality Working Group who meets regularly, organised by the settings ENCO, where we complete the access audit and identify any actions. These are then acted upon to resolve or look into. The building is fully wheelchair accessible except the upstairs rooms but we would adapt upstairs activities if needed. To communicate with parents whose first language is not English, some staff have completed EAL training, and we would translate literature if needed. To obtain equipment and resources we would contact the area SENCO or speech and language therapists and the Lighthouse centre.

10 How our setting prepares and supports young children with SEND when joining setting and when transferring to another setting or school

We invite school teachers to visit the setting and we also go to the schools to support the parent/child. We talk to the schools with the parents permission about the child's development and needs. We have photos of local schools for the children to look at, We have school role play and circle times. Our induction process has an open afternoon, speak with the parents, admission forms, trial sessions/visits to discuss any needs. If a care plan is in place we would meet with the care team prior to the child starting,

11 How our setting organises its resources to meet the needs of young children with SEND

We allocate time for staff to take small groups of children with SEND for focused tasks. All staff are aware of SEND children's needs, next steps and care plans. Extra resources are purchased, borrowed or adapted as needed.

12 How we decide on appropriate support for young children with SEND

We decide on appropriate support through observation and assessments, through EYFS early year outcomes, early support and two year reports, Discussion with parents and permission slips for external help to be accessed for the child. Outcomes are evaluated between SENCO, key worker and parents so appropriate support can be given.

13 How we involve all parents/carers in our setting

We involve all parents/carers by using a home school diary system. We have key worker meetings, face to face conversations, information display boards, newsletters, letters, reports, social media etc.

14 Who to contact for further information

Mrs Terri Ward - Manager, SENCO

Mrs Annette Goodburn - Assistant manager, Speech, Language and Communication

Mrs Debbie Kirby - SENCO

Mrs Jo Kleider - ENCO

http;//www.essexlocaloffer.org.uk

SEN Premium

Inclusion Funding

Disability Access Fund (DAF)

Early Years Pupil Premium

Newsletter

November/December 2024

Welcome back to preschool after the half term break. This term will be quite a busy one so please read this for information.

Photographer – there will be a photographer in preschool on 19^th November. All are welcome. The photographer will be at preschool from 8:00am so you can bring along siblings/family to be included. Details will be in preschool.

Christmas Service – our annual Christmas service will be held on Sunday 1^st December at 3:00pm. All children will be taking part and families are invited to attend.

Christmas Jumper Day – this is on 9^th December. However, we will be holding this event all week from 9^th – 13^th December. If you would like to make a donation please see Terri or Annette.

Christmas Party – Friday 13^th December from 10.30am - 1:30pm. All children are invited. Details will follow. This is the last day of term.

Spring Term - first day of term is Monday 6^th January 2025.

On-line Safety – Online safety is very important for all children. Please see attached information at the bottom of this news letter regarding this.

Two year funding – as you may be aware the government are giving funding for two year olds who qualify for it from April 2024. If your child is eligible you will need to apply via the government website and email the code along with your national insurance number to tcc.preschool@hotmail.co.uk so we can apply for the funding. Funding for two year olds from January 2025 will need to be applied for before the end of the Autumn term. If you do not apply before the cut-off date you will not receive the funding for the spring term. The links for applying and for information are https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ , https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working. This funding will need to be renewed every three months. The government send you an email to remind you to do this.

Labels – Please ensure you label ALL your child’s belongings including bags, snack/lunch boxes, water bottles, sun hats, sun cream, shoes etc. This is very important so things belonging to your child do not go astray or get taken by another child.

Fees – please check your emails for your invoices. Fees are £20.00 per session and lunch club is £3.50 per day. The fees are due to be paid at the beginning of each half term but will need to be paid by Friday 29^th November 2024, at the latest. If fees are not paid by the payment date and a reminder has to be sent a £10.00 admin charge will be added to the invoice. Payments can be paid by BACS (the preferred method) or cash. If you have any issues with payments, please speak to Terri.

Sickness/illness – In line with current Government guidelines we would like to remind you NOT to send your child in if they are at all unwell, even with coughs and colds. There are a lot of viruses about at the moment and it is unfair on your child and on staff if they are ill. Also, if you need to give your child Calpol or any medication do not send your child in as it may be masking another illness. If staff become infected, it will interfere with the continued running of the setting. If preschool needs to call you regarding your child, please ensure you answer your phone as they will need to be collected if they are ill. If your child is prescribed antibiotics please keep them off for the first 48 hours of starting the medication in case of an allergic reaction, unless it is a repeat course of treatment.

Snacks – We will be continuing with our policy of parents providing their child’s snack. We do ask that you supply your child with a healthy snack (fruit, vegetables, cheese or breadstick) and not biscuits, chocolate or sweets. Please remember to cut grapes lengthways and to cut up tomatoes and to stick to recommended age-appropriate portion size. A letter was emailed previously with guidelines for portion size appropriate for young children and healthy snack and lunch options. If you would like a copy of this emailed to you please ask.

Drop off/Pick up – Preschool times are mornings 8.45 – 11.45 and afternoons 12.30 – 3.30. Please do not be late picking your child up. If someone other than the main carers are dropping off or picking up your child, please inform Terri or Annette of the name and contact number of that person. They will need to know your child’s password.

Please could you keep us updated with your email address and check your inbox regularly for updates. Please also ensure you inform us of any change of address or telephone number.

Shared care – if your child goes to a child minder, another preschool or nursery please let Terri or Annette know they have shared care with another setting.

Please do not allow children to bring items in from home, especially toys and comforters (unless it is relevant to the topic and will go straight into the box on arrival) as they can transmit germs.

Diary Dates

2024/2025 Term Dates

Autumn Term

2^nd September 2024 – 13^th December 2024

19^th November – Photographer – details to follow

1^st December – Christmas service – 3:00pm - details to follow

13^th December - Christmas Party – 10:30 – 1:30pm for all children. Speak to Terri or Annette for details

Spring Term

6^th January 2025 – 28^th March 2025

Half Term – 17^th – 21^st February 2025

Summer Term

22^nd April 2025 – 18^th July 2025

Half Term – 26^th – 30^th May 2025

May Day Bank Holiday – Monday 5^th May 2025

Please note the Easter holidays 2025 will be for three weeks and not two like the schools. This is due to the number of weeks funding we receive.

We will continue communicating via email, Facebook, and our website.

Online safety - how to spot the signs of exploitation, check device security settings and report concerns.

The first half term back at school is almost complete for many children and young people across the county, but the risks of online abuse remain a threat which young people and their parents/carers should be aware of.

It’s also spooky season and there is the possibility that children may take their Halloween celebrations online. This could result in sharing frightening content and peer pressure to undertake harmful online challenges. The addictive effects of technology could also impact on mental health.

From the 21-27 October the Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) and partners are encouraging people across Essex to take part in sharing messages about online safety across social media.

The week of activity will cover topics including youth involved sexual images, online gaming, and online safety for pre-schoolers. There will be information on how to support young people to have healthy relationships in a digital world and the importance of supporting them to understand the dangers that technology can present with relationships.

Any child is at risk of being exploited - both boys and girls can be groomed online, with contact often starting on social media. It is important to remember that exploitation is not the child’s fault, and they are never to blame.

Caregivers can create a supportive environment, where online safety is discussed regularly in the same way as road safety or stranger danger, enabling children to speak up about any concerns they may have. By taking an interest in what games they are playing and trying to understand their online world, parents and carers can initiate important conversations. It’s also worthwhile double checking that devices have the correct parental controls, especially if they’re new.

The ESCB website has resources for parents, carers and professionals including podcasts, videos, how to report concerns, and information about spotting the signs of exploitation.

Concerns about child exploitation can be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555111. There is also a dedicated Essex Police Child Exploitation hotline - for parents, carers and members of the public to seek advice around concerns they may have about their own or other children with regards to criminal and sexual exploitation: 01245 452058.

Email – tcc.preschool@hotmail.co.uk

Website – www.tccchristianpreschool.co.uk

Call us: 07913 178982

Where to find us:

Thundersley Congregational Church Kenneth Road, Benfleet, SS7 3AL

Created with

Thundersley Congregational Church Christian Preschool