Tips on helping 2 year old under SEN start nursery

[PeggyMitchell123]

I just today found out my 2 year old son has a nursery place starting in August with the early 2 year funding. He will be going for 2 morning sessions a week. I am very apprehensive and worried.

Initially I was not going to send him to nursery until January 2017 ( the term after his 3rd birthday and the start of 3 year funding that every child gets). I did not think he was eligible for 2 year funding so did not apply. However he is now under both speech and language therapy and SEN for some behaviour issues and inability to socialise. Hence we are eligible and both his health visitor, speech therapist and paediatrician think a nursery setting would be very beneficial and helped secure him a nursery place.

I just worry about his ability to settle into nursery. Because of his issues he does find it very hard around other children and new places. He will also not speak in certain situations so I worry if something was wrong, he would not be able to communicate with staff. The nursery is aware of all issues and seem to be fully understanding which is great. I do know a nursery setting would help him and I am sending him after professionals advised it. It is just very daunting, it has been hard as well admitting there are problems and we are only just coming to terms with him being under SEN.

Has anyone been in this situation? Any tips on helping me and ds prepare for nursery? Can be general nursery tips

[PeggyMitchell123]

MissRosie great advice about the communication passport! It would certainly be useful for staff to really know some things about him. Ds when uncomfortable tends to either lash out in frustration because he cannot communicate or become very withdrawn and will not communicate at all.

The nursery are meeting with me next month to discuss ds and they are communicating with his speech therapist and paediatrician to ensure he gets the full support he needs and if needed a longer adjustment period than usual. I think it is more me that is worried. Due to his speech in particular, I have been speaking for him and making sure he is ok at all times so it is a big thing for us for him to go to nursery.

I know most parents feel like that but I do think I do worry more about him since we realised he was not developing as much as he should be.

[BackforGood]

But before he starts all nurseries would do an 'All about me' document for all children, finding out about likes, dislikes, ways they communicate etc alongside all information gathering about medical needs, etc. Etc