Highfield Nursery School and Children's Centre

Support for people with disabilities

Access Suffolk

Experience of including people with special educational needs and disabilities

Here at Highfield we aim to provide an environment inclusive to all children. We are committed to ensuring that all children are given the opportunities and support needed to achieve their full potential.

We acknowledge and respect that each child attending our setting is unique, and some children may require individual support due to their unique set of needs.

We believe good mental well being is key to children’s success to ensure resilience throughout life, and is the responsibility of all staff and community. Evidence based research reinforces our nurturing approach and underpins our ethos.

We therefore have the following procedures in place to ensure equality of access to all.

• Families are welcomed to visit when expressing an interest in Nursery.
• We have several evening introductory sessions for parents/carers offered a place for their child. This is an opportunity to build parent/carer partnerships.
• Every new child receives a home visit from our staff. Teachers and key workers visit the child at home where parents/carers can express concerns.  Due to Covid restrictions - home visits currently take place in the nursery garden
• During the first few weeks at Nursery each child is observed and assessed by their teacher and key workers in relation to their involvement levels and well being. Immediate concerns are shared with parents and the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCO).
• We follow a system of assessment focusing on every child’s mental well being and involvement, and their development (To follow Suffolk’s Ten Year Strategy 2012-2022) Each child's resilience is measured and tracked throughout each term. We feel it is wholly applicable to young children as it focuses on the fundamental areas necessary for life long learners. It offers interventions and support methods to strengthen emotional health.
• Physical development, Personal, Social and Emotional development and communication and language will also be assessed. Where possible, children are supported with individual support plans. Strategies can be incorporated within home and school.
• After discussion with parents/carers outside professionals will be contacted if needed.
• An Education, Health and Care Plan may be introduced upon review with other agencies. This is a statutory document which outlines the strengths and support needed from 0 – 25 years old. This will be reviewed annually by all the agencies involved.
• Parents/carers will be able to access Suffolk’s Local Offer with support from the SENDCO and other professionals. This is a directory of services offered to support their child.
• Parents/carers of a child on an EHC Plan will be given direct payments so that they can make their own choices with regards to their child’s care.
• Medical conditions including mental health are supported as above.

Linked team for Statutory Assessment and EHCPs: 

Ipswich South and West Family Services (email: SENDSS@suffolk.gov.uk)

Contact

Helen Norman

Telephone

01473 742534

Email

admin@highfield.suffolk.sch.uk

Conditions Supported

Autistic spectrum conditions
Communication difficulties

More like this

State schools

Nursery schools

Childcare