Early years settings
All early years providers – such as nurseries, pre-schools and childminders – are required to have arrangements in place to support children who have SEN or disabilities and to promote equality of opportunity for children in their care.
These requirements are set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
The majority of children who have SEN or disabilities do not require specialist resources or enhanced staffing to be successfully included in settings.
Observations within the setting
General observations are a purposeful part of everyday practice and it may be these that will initially alert practitioners to a delay in a particular area for your child.
EYFS outcomes and tracking
The EYFS expects that all early years settings monitor the progress and development of all children. Every setting will record this in different ways.
The EYFS is divided up into seven areas of learning development:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
These initially consist of the prime areas of learning which are:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication and language
- Physical development
By focussing on these first, your child can secure the skills needed to progress within their development.
A child’s progress is reviewed around two to three years old. Settings must carry out this check by law. The aim of this check is to:
- Review your child’s development in the three prime areas of the EYFS
- Ensure that you have a clear picture of your child’s development
- Enable the adults working with your child to understand your child’s needs and plan activities to meet them in the setting
- Enable you to enhance your child’s development at home
- Identify areas where your child is progressing well and areas where progress is less than expected
- Describe the actions the setting intends to take to support the areas for development
Observations within the setting
Details of a range of childcare options can be found on the Council website, including pre-schools and nurseries.
You can also find a map of childminders available in the borough.
Please note: we cannot provide any recommendations but please get in contact if you have any questions.