SEND
Our SENDCo is Mrs Smyth If you wish to contact her regarding any SEND information or enquiries, please call 01332 371876 during school hours or, alternatively, please email. senco@whitecross.derby.sch.uk
At Whitecross Nursery School we believe that every child is unique. We are committed to providing the very best education and outcomes for all children, irrespective of differences. We strive to provide high quality provision to meet the needs of all children in a fully inclusive setting, allowing every child to achieve their full potential through consistently high quality provision and a nurturing environment. Our curriculum is play-based and child-led, and we differentiate teaching and learning to suit the needs of the individual child. It is our aim to ensure that all children and families feel a sense of belonging, and we work closely with all of our families to improve outcomes, increase engagement and ensure equal opportunities for all.
We have an enclosed garden area where our children engage in outdoor learning through a rich play-based curriculum. We are a single level site with wide entrances, sloped paths into our garden areas and have accessible toileting areas. We have a sensory room containing lights and toys designed for children with SEND. Children utilise this area for focused work, sensory development and as a quiet 'calming' space if needed. Risk assessments and personal evacuation plans will be written and shared with parents should they be needed. We use Makaton signing and are fully qualified in First Aid and have undertaken medical training when a child's needs require this.
Our school Values
Our school values underpin everything we do at Whitecross. All children are encouraged and supported to be:
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Kind
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Resilient
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Curious
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Independent
Our educational aims for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are the same as those for all children in our nursery.
Our WX SEND Policy can be found in the policy section on this website
Please see below for our
- WX SEND Information Report
- WX Accessibility Plan.
How do we help children with SEND at Whitecross?
The 4 areas of SEND are:
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Cognition and Learning
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Communication and Interaction
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Social, Emotional and Mental Health
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Sensory and/or Physical
When your child is identified as having an additional need in one or more of these areas, their teachers will support them. They will set targets, plan activities to meet those targets and then review the progress your child has made. You are an important part of this process and will be involved with setting and reviewing the targets. This will happen termly.
If, over time, your child is not progressing as well as we would hope, it may be suitable to involve other agencies who can provide further advice and support. When this is necessary, Mrs FitzPatrick will inform you and will work closely with families to get the support that is needed.
You can find more information around the different areas of SEND on the link below.
Understanding your child's needs - Derby City Council
Support and Services
We work closely with local authority specialist teachers from StePs when a child has a specific need such as a hearing impairment, visual impairment or Autism; we also work with the Educational Psychologists when their advice is needed.
Derby City SEND Local Offer
Local Authorities are required to publish information about services they expect to be available in their area for children and young people from birth to 25 years who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND): and also services outside the area which they expect children and young people from their area will use.
This is known as the ‘Local Offer’.
The Local Offer puts all the information about education, health and care services, leisure activities and supports groups in one place. It has two main purposes:
- to provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the support and opportunities that are available;
- to make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations.
Derby's SEND Local Offer - Derby City Council
Other useful services/websites
Umbrella supports families living in Derby by providing a range of exciting activities, drop-ins and offers an advice, support and signposting service to other agencies and services.
Derby SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) provides free, legally-based, impartial, confidential and accessible information, advice and support for children, young people and parents/carers covering SEN, Disabilities, Health and Social Care.
Ronnie McKeith Centre provides specialist medical and therapeutic support for children and young people with long-term health conditions. The team also supports families and carers with a well-used service which provides information.
https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/ronnie-mackeith-child-development-centre/
Parent Carers Together is an independent, non-political group that represents parents and carers of children and young people 0–25 years with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Derby City.
https://engb.facebook.com/derbycityparentcarerstogether/
Light House is the home of the Integrated Disability Children’s Service (IDCS) which is a multidisciplinary, multi-agency service aimed at meeting some of the needs of disabled children aged 0 to 17 years and families.
Specialist Teaching and Psychology services (STePS)
Specialist Teaching and Psychology Service (STePS) - Schools' Information Portal (derby.gov.uk)
Information/ support on Speech, Language and Communication Needs
Speech, language and communication - Derby City Council
What is an EHCP?
What is an Education, Health and Social Care (EHC) plan? (updated 2019) (youtube.com)
What is an education, health and care plan? (EHCP) - Derby City Council