SEND, Curriculum & Policies
SEND, Curriculum & Policies
SEND
Special educational needs and disabilities
St Mary’s Playschool aims to provide an environment in which all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, have equal access to the curriculum and are supported to reach their full potential.
St Mary’s playschool recognise that the needs of some children require extra support, which the playschool provides, whether the need is due to very high ability, a learning difficulty or a physical need. The playschool has comprehensive Special Educational Needs and Disabilities policies, which clearly outline strategies used to ensure their potential as learners.
The playschool has a full time SEND coordinator and appointed key persons who work with identified children following the child’s individual educational plan (IEP). The SEND Code of Practice is carefully followed. Parents are involved at each stage of the SEND process with regular parent-key person, senco meetings to discuss the child’s learning plan and signposting given for parental support groups. The playschool continually seeks ways to extend and improve its SEND work through close liaison with related agencies, in-service training and self-evaluation.
For those children who are identified as exceptionally able, we assess their needs and plan appropriate tailored support. This may include an additional level of differentiated work within the playschool, learning challenges, problem solving and investigative work to deepen learning.
Activities will be differentiated to meet all of the children’s needs.
Please click on the button or document thumbnail below to view the local offer.
The Early Year Foundation Stage
A planned curriculum
When joining Playschool, your child will follow the curriculum outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework (EYFS). The EYFS sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.
The four guiding principles that shape the practice in early years settings are:
Every child is a unique child
Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships
Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults
Importance of learning- children develop and learn at different rates
Three characteristics of effective teaching and learning are:
Playing and Exploring
Children investigate and experience things and are willing to ‘have a go’
Active Learning
Children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements
Creating and thinking critically
Children have and develop their own idea, make links between ideas and develop strategies for doing things
The Early Year Foundation Stage
Seven areas of learning and development
Three prime areas are particularly important for learning and
forming relationships; They build a foundation for children to thrive
and provide a basis for learning in all areas.
Communication and Language
The development of children’s spoken language underpins all seven areas of learning and development. Through conversations, reading, rhymes and poems children will hear and learn new vocabulary.
Physical Development
This is vital in children’s all round development. Travelling around, under, over and through balancing, running and jumping all help to build children’s strength, co-ordination and spatial awareness. Sensory and fine motor activities help hand eye co-ordination which is linked to early literacy.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
This is crucial for children to lead healthy, happy lives. Strong, warm and supportive relationships help children to manage their emotions, develop a positive sense of self and have confidence in their own abilities.
These prime areas are strengthened and further developed through
four specific areas, to ignite children’s curiosity and enthusiasm.
Literacy
Language comprehension is necessary for both reading and writing.
This develops when adults talk to children about the world around them, read books, poems and sing songs together
Mathematics
Developing a strong grounding of numbers is essential. It is important that children develop positive attitudes to mathematics and that they are not afraid to ‘make mistakes’ and willing to ‘have a go’
Understanding the World
Helps to guide children to make sense of their physical world and community. Children begin to learn about culture, technology and the diverse world around us.
Expressive Arts and Design
The development of children’s artistic and cultural awareness supports their imagination and creativity.
Playschool Policies
A comprehensive library of policies
The playschool has a comprehensive library of policies which are reviewed regularly by the Playschool Committee, Staff and Parents. In the meantime, if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to ask via the Playschool Office and we will be happy to oblige.
Signed paper copies of all policies are maintained by the Playschool Manager.
Please click on a document thumbnail below to view the policy.
