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
April/May 2024
We hope you all had a good Easter break and are looking forward to our summer term, which is a busy one.
Summer weather – hopefully we will be getting some warm weather this term. Please ensure you apply suncream to your child and also provide your child with a hat for when they are playing outside.
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 September will need to be applied for before the end of the summer term. If you do not apply before the cut off date you will not receive the funding for the autumn 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.
Important message about illness – you will have received a letter informing you of a child who is receiving medical treatment that results in their Immunity being compromised. If your child has any illness at all, including a temperature, please DO NOT send them into preschool as this may have a detrimental effect on the child who has a severe condition.
Fees – please check your emails for your invoices. Fees are £18.00 per session and lunch club is £3.00 per day. The fees are due to be paid at the beginning of each half term but will need to be paid by Tuesday 30th April 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.
Fee Increase – due to the increase in the living wage we are having to increase our fees from September 2024. Sessions will be £20.00, per three hour session. Lunch club fees will also be increased to £3.50 per day.
2024/2025 Sessions – Places have been allocated and you should have received an email confirming what sessions your child has for 2024/2025. If you have not heard or have any queries please send an email. Sessions are unlikely to be able to be changed as we are very busy for the next year and sessions are now full.
Fundraising Event – we will be holding a fundraising event for preschool at Zen City, Westcliff, on 16th May at 7.30pm. It is a Chinese meal that all parents and friends are invited to. The cost will be £18 per person for a three-course meal (starter, duck and mains). Please advise of ant dietary requirements when booking. Places are limited. Speak to Terri or Annette to book a place.
Keyworker Afternoon – There is a keyworker afternoon on Thursday 2nd May. Please see preschool to book your slot.
Labelling - Please make sure your child’s name is on all clothing, coats, shoes, bags, lunch boxes, snacks and drinks bottles.
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 Term Dates
Summer Term – 15th April – 19th July
Half term – 27th May - 31st May
May Day bank holiday – Monday 6th May 2024
Diary Dates
Key worker afternoon – Thursday 2nd May
Zen City Fundraising Meal – 16th May
We will continue communicating via email, Facebook, and our website.