To apply under sen category

[Gettingcheeky]

We are in the middle of school nurseries who take from three, but near fill up in September. Dd is three at the end of October. If she got in that autumn she could have over five terms of nursery, compared to three if she got in the following September.
Her sisters school doesn't have a nursery, so she's not in the sibling category and a fair walk away so no chance really of getting in. However category 1 is sen (no statement needed).

My friends think I'm unreasonable to apply under this, dd is a sunny happy girl who comes across well. They see it as taking another's place. However her needs, though not severe are why I want five terms. Her language is delayed, at two her understanding was 8-12 months, I'd guess now it's come on but the delay is maintained. Expressive not quite as bad. She uses one hearing aid which doesn't help, other ear a mild loss only. She was motor delayed, fairly normal now but poor grip on one side so issues climbing or fine motor with that hand. Generally immature but happy. Not understood by strangers and mainly uses jargon. Investigations for seizures still unresolved. Tbh behaviour is challenging, I'd be grateful for support with it, though we make progress there's a limit at home to exposure to other children constructively. She's a nightmare at playgroup with tiny ones so we gave up (my other two are models for good behaviour... I'm not passive at all)

Surely she's fit this category? She's under the child development centre, pead, speech, hearing...though to be honest near zero support bar maintaining hearing aid and makaton coffee morning I go to.

I can't see they'd limit sen spaces and she'd take resources from an obviously Sen child. She's small, you'd see her as a sunny 18month old. I think friend sees me as fussing, but I've never ever requested a referral. Every hcp she sees suggests it!

If that will be the best place for her education then YANBU. Given her issues you need to get her statemented do she doesn't fall behind.

She clearly has SEN so apply under that criteria and you really ought to get her referred because it is her only gateway to getting the support she needs in school.

Well she certainly sounds like she has additional needs, doesn't it? And ultimately it's not going to be your call or your friend's call - whoever sorts admissions for the nursery will make that call, and if there are more pressing cases (ie other children applying with greater needs) then they'll decide accordingly. It certainly has to be worth a shot - good luck with it.

YANBU and her needs are exactly the type that more time in an early years setting might help. If she has no statement, what evidence of SEN do they accept? Would the various professionals involved write letters to support your application?

I just had a quick look at some state nursery admissions criteria, and found this wording:

"Children with a diagnosis of an exceptional educational, social or medical need or identifiable vulnerable children. Documented evidence from a doctor, health visitor, social worker, or other medical professional must be submitted with the application for admission."

Go for it. There isn't a quota for number for this type of category unless it's written in the admissions criteria of your specific school.

I would say YANBU. Your friends should be supporting you not telling you that you're taking up a valuble place! Your child is SEN from your description, and would benefit from this place.

So if I read it right she probably has about a years delay in speech and language? Of course she could and should benefit from the Sen category. The attitude that you have to be in major crisis before you can ask for anything from anybody is a rather pervasive and poisonous one. She's a happy, thriving little girl who also has some additional needs which would be well served by extra time at nursery.

Am I right that come reception applications she would be likely to get a place under sibling rules? If so Id also suggest that there is a benefit to a child with communication difficulties spending their nursery time in the place where they will go to school, and for the staff/ Senco to get to know their needs.

At this age very few children will have a statement/ehcp. We provided evidence from his hv. And yanbu.

Sounds like she'd be eligible, but I think you'd need to get her referred and get a diagnosis first.

Of course Yanbu, it sounds like your dd fits he criteria. And you do not need a diagnosis, just evidence of additional needs.

Please pay no attention to others saying you shouldn't apply on these grounds, as if a child being 'sunny natured' means you shouldn't get help for their additional needs.

She has reports from community pead, hospital, teacher of deaf. In fact on paper she looks worse! A diagnosis on mild cp was given early and not rescinded, but all agree this no longer looks the case. Bit of a miracle progress. Speech and hearing also in writing from multiple places. Also epilepsy clinic lists 'concerns' in report. Drowning in paper.

She just presents well to others, a gorgeous child who is always happy (even if told off....). All needs are 'mild' so I guess many could say "0h dos walked/talked late" and see similarities. Her speech delay I feel is bigger, her understanding has just reached the level that you can confirm if she wants milk/ car and a few familiar items she will get in context but she's generally still lost with understanding. For example her hearing test requires pointing to familiar objects, say cat, spoon, tree... And she's blank. Or if a stranger says the same thing as me.

I read the OP that the DD has already seen the relevant professionals, the op was saying the referrals were suggested by HCPs rather than initiated by her, as justification to the 'friend' who thinks she is making it up.

I think friends see us as dragging her for diagnosis, but honestly it's been hcp in the early days forcing us to accept them! I was well in denial myself

You don't need a diagnosis just evidence of developmental delay that is enough to warrant the place. Most children of this age won't have a diagnosis of anything. Never hold back from seeking extra help for a child with additional needs because others might need it more. You will hear that again in the future and you have to ignore it.

This is exactly the reason why there is SEN provision in nurseries: it is recognised that children with SEN need the right help from the earliest stage possible. Getting the right speech support at this stage will make all the difference to the way your child accesses education.

She clearly fits the SEN catagory, however I am unclear as to why you feel a nursery environment will support her development better than you looking after her at home?

Because nursery gives her a wider range of activities and social contact. I think she's got great potential to start reception well and a bit more time in the eyfs stage will help her. Communicating outside her family is a big plus. She also hits and bites me, we made progress and reduced this but being away from me will help break the habit. I have a baby too, I can give them some time too as she does dominate at home.

yabu- to even give a shit about what your friend thinks.

apply. you don't need anyone's permission or approval to do what's best for your dd

Your friend doesn't sound very helpful. Sometimes people want everything to be ok so they try to convince you their dc does X too, often isolating one symptom out of the many. Or sometimes they are scared of dealing with someone with special needs so really want it not to be true. But you are the mum and know your dc best. You need to develop a thick skin as you will come across plenty of people who think everything is your fault.

If your dd needs help with her social skills and communication, nursery is a good idea. Hopefully there will also be lots of physical play if she wants to copy the other children too.

Is it going to help if the problem is an October birthday though? She won't be eligible until the January, and while SEN would make her top of the waiting list that doesn't help if they have filled all the places in September.

YaNBU at all. sadly friends and family are often unhelpful like this at this age as any delays are not noticeable as all children are in the middle of developing. You can and indeed should use this provision, for the best for your DD.

Firstly, the OP said 'near fill up' not totally fill up in Sept. Therefore being top of the waiting list in Jan as opposed to wherever she would be placed based on distance etc would be a big help, she may or may not get in in the Jan but there's a higher chance of getting in before the following Sept (if a child moves nurseries for some reason), which is when the OP thinks she would get in on other criteria.

Secondly, could your DD qualify for earlier funding? I know at least one school nursery that has taken a child with SEN just before they turned three instead of just after. I'm not sure on what basis or how the funding was secured- but it's worth making enquiries about, surely?

Just googled '15 hours childcare for 2 year olds' and it suggests that if your child has a statement or EHCP, or receives DLA, then they qualify for the 15 hours funding at 2 instead of 3. Not sure how you'd go about getting a EHCP without her being in a placement though!