Preschool

[Rowlie]

DS 4 has just moved up rooms at nursery. It is a private nursery within a private school. We get some funded hours but pay quite a bit in extra charges on top for the 2 days a week he attends.
He is having some behavioural issues, not listening, impulsivity, not knowing his boundaries with other children. His new key worker (who actually seems very good, the last one was rubbish) has raised the behaviour at every pick up and also this week mentioned his speech which can still be quite unclear at times. I told her he’d had a speech and language assessment through the school’s therapist last term (which cost us £200!) at the recommendation of his last room lead. The S&L therapist wrote a report, sent to nursery, and said he was on track for his age but highlighted some areas that we and nursery could help. AIBU to expect this to have been passed onto the new keyworker?? She said she didn’t know. It also mentioned the S&L assessment in his transition report from his previous key worker, which clearly hasn’t been read by they new key worker either.
I have asked to meet the nursery to discuss his behaviour and ways of handling it, and then find our she only works 1/2 of the days he is there. So 50% of the time his key worker isn’t there. Again, AIBU to think this isn’t right?

Am I reading it right that he only attends 2 days a week? And she only works half that, so 1 day a week?

Yes I'd fully expect that information to have been handed over especially as it was referred by the nursery and referenced in his transition report. I would also have mentioned it myself - at our place the room moves are based on readiness so this would probably have been part of the conversation about him moving up (e.g. moving up to help with his speech or not being ready to move up yet). I'd raise this with the nursery. If his behaviour is an issue there they will talk to you about this and the strategies they use, explore what he's like at home etc. I'd expect that info to be relayed to all the staff in his room if his keyworker is barely there, or ask for a keyworker who is more present given that he may need consistency?

So at his nursery they move up based on age, to lower preschool when they turn three, then all reception school starters for the next Sept move up to higher preschool the September before.
Correct that he only attends 2 days a week and his key worker is only there on one of the days as she doesn’t work the other day. This seems odd to me and as you say given his behavioural issues I do think consistency would help! We are trying to find a date to go in for a meeting, but given my husband’s job and the fact she is part time, we are finding it hard to get a date!!

This is a side issue, but are you planning for him to attend the private school from Reception? If you are, I would strongly suggest applying for a state school as well. Private schools can and do reject children on the basis of behavioural difficulties. I’ve known it happen after places have been allocated for state schools, leaving the parents without a school place for their child.

Tread very carefully with private school if there is a suggestion that your son may have SEND.

In regards to the key worker thing, this is the person who will do the paperwork for your child and keep in touch with you. In reality all the staff work with all the children and they all get to know them and their needs very well.

In regards to the handover, yes, this person should have been made aware of the S&L support your child had been given and the assessment. Do they do Wellcomm assessments at the preschool as these are a good way of seeing progress and the packs have lots of activity ideas for each area that needs supporting. Our children make good progress with us using this tool.