Supporting Every Child's Journey

At Haslemere House Day Nursery, we are committed to providing inclusive, high-quality care and education for all children, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, learn, and reach their full potential.

Our SEND Philosophy

We believe that every child is unique and special, with individual needs, interests, and abilities. Our approach to SEND support is built on the principles of inclusion, early identification, and collaborative working with families and external professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for each child.

Our experienced SEND team works closely with children, families, and specialist services to create personalized support plans that promote independence, confidence, and learning. We celebrate diversity and ensure that all children feel valued, supported, and included in our nurturing nursery community.

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Individual Support Plans

Tailored support plans developed in partnership with families, focusing on each child's specific needs, strengths, and developmental goals.

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Communication & Language

Specialized support for children with speech, language, and communication needs, including alternative communication methods.

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Learning Difficulties

Adapted learning approaches and resources to support children with various learning differences and cognitive needs.

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Physical & Sensory Needs

Environmental adaptations and specialized equipment to support children with physical disabilities and sensory processing needs.

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Social & Emotional Support

Targeted interventions to support children's emotional regulation, social skills, and behavioural development.

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Autism Support

Specialized understanding and support for children on the autism spectrum, including structured routines and sensory considerations.

Our SEND Support Process

1
Early Identification

Through careful observation and assessment, we identify children who may benefit from additional support, working closely with parents from the start.

2
Assessment & Planning

We conduct comprehensive assessments and develop individual support plans in collaboration with families and external professionals.

3
Implementation

Trained staff implement targeted interventions and adaptations, monitoring progress and adjusting support as needed.

4
Review & Progress

Regular reviews ensure support remains effective and relevant, celebrating achievements and planning next steps.

Our SEND Expertise

Our dedicated team includes qualified SEND practitioners with specialised training and extensive experience in supporting children with diverse needs. We maintain high standards through continuous professional development and regular training updates.

Qualified SENCO

Our Special Educational Needs Coordinator holds relevant qualifications and leads our SEND provision with expertise and compassion.

Specialised Training

All staff receive regular SEND training, including autism awareness, behaviour support, communication strategies, and sensory needs.

Behaviour Support

Positive behaviour support strategies are used with an understanding of the sensory and emotional factors that may influence children’s responses.

Transition Planning

Specialised support for transitions between settings, ensuring smooth progressions for children with SEND.

Professional Partnerships

We work closely with a network of external professionals and services to provide comprehensive support for children and families.

Speech & Language Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Educational Psychologists
Pediatricians
Local Authority SEND Team
Portage Services
Child Development Centers
Specialist Schools
Family Support Services
Health Visitors

SEND Resources & Information

Access helpful resources, guides, and information to support your child's SEND journey. We provide comprehensive documentation and guidance for families.

All documents are available in PDF format. If you have trouble opening any document, please contact us.

Partnership with Families

We believe that parents and carers are the first educators of their children and their insights are invaluable in supporting their child's development. We work in genuine partnership, ensuring open communication, shared decision-making, and collaborative planning throughout your child's journey with us.

Regular meetings, progress reviews, and informal discussions ensure that families are fully involved in their child's support plan. We provide guidance, resources, and emotional support to help families navigate their SEND journey with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every child develops at their own pace, but there are some signs that may indicate additional support could be beneficial:

Early signs may include: Delays in speech and language development, difficulty with social interactions, challenges with physical coordination, sensory sensitivities, or differences in learning patterns compared to peers.

Our experienced team conducts regular observations and assessments. If we notice any areas where your child might benefit from additional support, we will discuss this with you sensitively and work together to determine the best approach.

Our assessment process is thorough yet child-friendly, designed to understand your child's unique strengths and needs:

Initial Discussion: We meet with you to discuss your concerns and observations about your child's development.

Observation & Assessment: Our qualified SENCO conducts structured observations and assessments during your child's normal activities.

External Referrals: If needed, we can refer to specialist services like Speech & Language Therapy or Educational Psychology.

Support Plan Development: Based on all information gathered, we create a personalised support plan with clear goals and strategies.

We have extensive experience supporting children on the autism spectrum and understand the importance of individualised approaches:

Our autism support includes: Visual schedules and social stories, sensory-friendly environments, structured routines, communication support (including Makaton), and gradual introduction to changes.

We work closely with families to understand each child's specific needs, preferences, and triggers. Our staff receive regular autism awareness training and use evidence-based strategies to support communication, social skills, and emotional regulation.

We assess each child's needs individually and provide appropriate levels of support, which may include one-to-one assistance when necessary.

Our approach includes: Small group interventions, individual targeted support sessions, enhanced adult-child ratios in specific areas, and specialist intervention programs.

The level of support is always discussed with families and reviewed regularly to ensure it meets your child's changing needs while promoting independence and inclusion within the group.

Transition planning is crucial for children with SEND, and we start preparing well in advance:

Transition Support includes: School visits and familiarisation, detailed transition documents, meetings with receiving schools, gradual transition activities, and ongoing liaison with new settings.

We also provide: Social stories about starting school, practice with school routines, communication passport creation, and post-transition follow-up support.

Our goal is to ensure every child feels confident and prepared for their next educational setting.

All our team members receive comprehensive SEND training as part of their ongoing professional development:

Training includes: SEND awareness and inclusion, autism spectrum understanding, behaviour support strategies, communication techniques including Makaton, sensory processing awareness, and safeguarding vulnerable children.

Our SENCO holds relevant qualifications and attends regular training updates. We also provide specialised training based on the specific needs of children in our care.

SEND support is included as part of our inclusive nursery provision at no additional cost to families.

What is included: Initial assessments, individual support plans, staff training, environmental adaptations, and regular review meetings.

For children requiring intensive one-to-one support, we may discuss additional funding options including Early Years Pupil Premium, local authority support, or other funding streams available.

We believe every child deserves access to quality support and will work with families to ensure financial barriers don't prevent access to the care their child needs.

Yes, we welcome children with physical disabilities and make reasonable adjustments to ensure full participation in nursery activities.

Our accommodations may include: Accessible equipment and resources, environmental modifications, partnership with occupational therapists, individualized care plans, and staff training on specific needs.

We conduct accessibility assessments and work with families and professionals to ensure your child can access all areas of our provision safely and confidently.

Ready to Discuss Your Child's Needs?

Our SEND team is here to answer your questions and discuss how we can support your child's unique journey. Contact us for a confidential discussion about our inclusive provision.