1. Young Starts: babies & toddlers (severe learning difficulties) A CPD Resource focusing on Starting School A Window On Special

2. Overview The purpose of this video and CPD resource is to: – Support the school to review its induction and settling in process for young children to the nursery and foundation departments; – Reflect on school procedures; – Consider methods to minimise the stress of starting school for young children and their families; – Look at how information is provided to families about what early years education in a special school looks like

3. Session Two Supporting children & Their Families

4. Gathering Information about New Children It is vital that staff working with new children have up to date and complete information to best meet each child’s needs. This information can be gathered from: Initial meetings with the child and their family Reports from health professionals and psychology Information about medical needs, equipment and training required are essential and must be highlighted as soon as possible.

5. Group Discussion What information do you need to know about a new pupil as a class team and school? Who could provide this information? Who should collect the information? Where should it be recorded? Who should have access to this information?

6. Supporting Parents/Carers What fears and anxieties might parents and carers have as their child prepares to start a nursery placement in our school? What might they worry about in relation to: -the statementing and application process -special education in general -our school curriculum -the classroom -the staff -the care and education their child will receive ?

7. Supporting Parents/Carers Providing information to guide and reassure parents School website Prospectus Initial visits and meetings – time should be allocated to ensure parents have the opportunity to ask questions and get the information they need Induction Days – provide an opportunity to guide parents through completing essential forms, to provide information and to enable parents to visit classrooms and meet school staff Stay and Play sessions – allow parents to enjoy extended, more relaxed visits to the nursery classroom and to see the resources and facilities on offer. These sessions also allow parents the chance to see their child interact with school staff

8. Starting School Books – these books can provide information not just on the school and curriculum but on the daily practicalities that can worry parents. Ensure that they include details about all aspects of a day in the nursery classroom, for example: -when children are changed / taken to the bathroom -how toilet training is supported -snack and lunch arrangements and what children can / can’t bring -what outside play / outings / P.E. involves Supporting Parents/Carers Providing information to guide and reassure parents

9. Meetings and visits – remember to allow time for parents to share information about their child. Ask questions as well as providing information All About Me books – allow parents to provide written information about their child’s likes, dislikes, preferences and communication style Communication Passports – ensure that parents have the opportunity to work alongside classroom and therapy staff to complete a communication passport for their child Supporting Parents/Carers Providing information to guide and reassure parents

10. Supporting Parents/Carers Parent and toddler groups These groups can run in school to provide pre-school children and their families the opportunity to: -Meet school staff including classroom staff, therapists, nursing teams -Meet other children and their families -Access advice and support from school staff and other parents -Become familiar with the school environment and staff in a relaxed setting -Spend time in the nursery classroom, seeing the resources on offer -Use facilities throughout the school such as the sensory room, playgrounds, soft play areas, hall, library -Become familiar with routines such as hanging coats and bags up, sitting for circle time, having snack

11. Preparing Children We can help to prepare children by: -Visiting them at home and in playgroup settings so they become familiar with staff -Inviting them to school for visits, allowing them to see resources and facilities and meet staff -Facilitating access to ‘Stay and Play’ or ‘Parent and Toddler’ Sessions so they develop confidence in exploring our setting

12. Preparing Children cont. Providing children with visual supports for home: -‘My Starting School’ book -Photographs -Social stories for specific worries -Video clips showing aspects of the school day (taken at child height) -Countdowns -Dress-up cut-out figures and reward charts for trying on the school uniform -Providing a few structured tasks for home, that are identical to ones available for their work on their first day, ensuring success and confidence

13. A Smooth Start Aims of the initial introduction include: Helping children feel safe and happy in their new class Reassure and inform parents about the process and what to expect Provide parents with support to prepare their child for school including meeting other parents Begin to find out more about each child

14. In May/ June Provide an opportunity for the child and their parents to meet the staff and other children in their new classroom Invite children to attend weekly stay and play sessions to familiarise them with the school if possible Host an information evening for the parents to find out more about what they need for Sept Give parents a photo-book of their new class to share with their child over the summer A video on the school website of a typical school day could also be beneficial for some children

15. Home Visits Start of school year Visit each child with at least one main carer present prior to children beginning school. Teachers and assistants get to find out more from the parent about the child’s: Communication Level of independence Dietary requirements/ feeding recommendations Any significant behaviours or phobias Children get to become familiar with staff in a setting that they are comfortable in Parents get to ask any questions they have and be reassured about some of their worries Establishes a positive home-school communication link from day one

16. Settling In Procedures THE FIRST DAYS Talk about your school’s settling in procedures Are there ways we could make improvements for the pupils, parents or staff?