Moving up rooms

[Dinosauraus]

DS has just turned two and moved up to his next room.

He has a speech delay which his previous key worker and SENCo put together. They worked on this each time he goes (only twice a week) and would always feedback after each session using the nurseries online app. It includes a communication book specifically about his speech and language development etc.

No one in DS' new room seems to be aware of his IEP or what his communication book is for, and they have written comments like - please bring wellies next week, rather than 'DS followed my instruction and tried to say xxx'. His previous key worker was fantastic and said she had met with his new key person to 'handover' but they seem clueless. I've arranged to go in and see them next week, but am I expecting too much for them to be aware DS' IEP and to continue to support it?

I'm also miffed that when I collected him today, DS was soaking wet and the person with him said 'oh I couldn't find any clothes' implying I hadn't provided any - he had a bag of three full changes of clothes!!!! When I dropped him off I even commented that I'd put in plenty of changes of clothes as he likes playing in the water so much. He was literally sodden wet, felt really cold and was sobbing his little heart out.

Am I being unreasonable to feel cross about this?

Sorry - really should read before posting! That should say, his previous key worker and SENCo put together and IEP!

It would annoy me yes. I would speak to the manager. Make sure there is some knowledge transfer between the staff.

You are right to raise these issues with the manager. As it’s early days yet, it’s probably better to do so in a friendly manner that seeks a solution, rather than taking the 'angry complaint' approach.

The clothing thing may be a one-off. They just need to be sure they keep all his stuff together. It will be a big help if you can take all his things in one bag.

Communication between staff is vital when this sort of transition between rooms takes place: even more so when it involves any sort of SEN. To be fair, it’s not necessary the key worker at fault. It’s the SENCo's responsibility to oversee and take responsibility for the transition.

Ok. So I think I've resolved the clothing issue - in a friendly way just said I was a little concerned he was left in wet clothes, esp. when he had plenty of clothes there, and that Id much rather a phone call if they didn't think he had something he needed. Everything was in one bag, all together, but they hadn't given him a named peg, which I've since realised was the problem. He hasn't been picked up wet since so that's good.

However, his IEP isn't going so well. Or at least I'm getting very little feedback or 'observations'. In his previous room they would record an observation every session (he only goes twice a week) on their electronic system and reference it to his IEP. They would also then add details to his 'communication' book like Max tried to say 'bird'. Since moving rooms I have seen one electronic observation since he started. I explained that his communication book is about his 'language communication skills' but I only seem to get notes saying things like 'he didn't do very well today, he refused to eat his shreddies' or such like.

The grandparents do the pick ups for me, as I work full time (DS does half days) so I rarely get to see his key worker as she isn't there at drop off. I went in last week specially to collect him so I could meet his key worker and ask about his IEP and what was the plan going forward (now we have the results of the hearing test).

His key worker was going to speak to the SENCo and as far as I knew she was going to come back to me. I followed up with them today and I got a vague/puzzled response and then they said his IEP wouldn't be changing until he was understanding 'better' - which I thought was pretty ironic as that's exactly why he needs support. But they offered to go through it again with me if I wanted - so I asked them what they thought his IEP strategy was, and it turns out it has been changed and they will now be trying to use flash cards with him - which I had no idea about. I actually think it sounds like a good idea, but I'm just feeling very frustrated as I'd specifically asked about it the week before, and expressed my concerns that I didn't think the current approach was working.

I just want to be consistent with their strategies.

Am I expecting too much? How often do other nurseries give you little updates on their days, or IEPs? Am I mad for thinking they should have got in touch about changing his IEP?

In the previous room I knew exactly what was going on, his key worker updated me regularly over the phone and through their electronic system etc. I wish he could be back with his previous key worker!

I just don't understand what is going on in his new room, I feel like I'm missing something with them, but no idea what!

Thoughts?

Are there more children in the new room meaning less time for recording interactions?

Yes I think there are more children. I had sort of wondered if I would get so many updates, but it seems that I barely hear anything unless I ask. Not sure if my expectations are unrealistic?

What is the concern about his speech delay?

It sounds like the ratios in the older room are bigger and the key worker is a bit shit. Have a meeting and set expectations.

There are a few concerns really.... primarily his speech delay, but also he doesn’t respond to his name or follow instructions At nursery, although he does at home (when he wants to). It’s not clear how much he understands... sometimes he responds, sometimes he just ignores you. I think some may say he has some potential ASD flags.

Sorry - my original post oversimplifies, I was just focusing on what support I should expect from the nursery.

I am waiting for the HV to visit as she thinks he may need to see a speech therapist.

The SENCOs responsibility is to ensure smooth transition between all transition. The SEND reforms in 2014 mean that SEND in any setting is met by all members of staff. Next time you are in ask when the review of his iep is. How long has he been in the new room? It does take time getting to know children and changing rooms can be a stressful time. Are they letting him find his feet? Also how long has this been going on? Has there been mention of a referral to speech and language?

Ok that's good to know Fandabydosey

He's been in there for 5 weeks, but obviously there's been the disruption of Christmas etc. He seems really happy, always enjoys going in and is generally very cheerful while he's there. As he's so happy there I really would be loathed to move him, but his communication/understanding are really are behind, so I just want to make sure he is being supported.

He says roughly 5 words - things car, bird, 'duh' for dinosaur. He never says things like Mummy or drink.

Angus - that's what I feel I need to do

So I went to visit another nursery that was recommended to me by a colleague, and have decided that even if I didn't have concerns about the current nursery, the one today will probably be a better environment for DS. They have a lot of experience in speech and language delays, with
members of staff with additional training in this area who work with the children one to one. I'm going to think on it over the weekend, but I'm 99% we will move him.

I need to give 4 weeks notice at his current nursery. When people have moved their children in, have you chosen to send them in during the notice period? I don't know if this sounds daft, but I'm concerned he'll be treated differently once I've given notice?

I work in nurseries and people do send their children in during the notice period
We don’t treat children differently because they are leaving, it would be very unprofessional for anyone to do that
Make sure you ask the old nursery for a transition report to pass on to the new one
I’m not defending the staff but it’s very different in a 2 yr room than a baby room. The ratio is 1-4 instead of 1-3 and they generally have more children and less time to do things like diaries etc because the babies have more sleep which is when they tend to do admin. The older room will be busier with more going on , eg toilet training, outdoor play etc that means they often don’t have the spare time and things are more rushed.
In my baby room the staff have 6 key children each but in the 2s room they have 13 each at the moment. I’m hoping that will change as we are recruiting at the moment, so hopefully that will change. In my nursery we wouldn’t be able to maintain the level of communication that you have had in the baby room
Nevertheless, it does sound like you have made the right decision and the second nursery sounds much more suited to his needs.
If you have concerns about his language you can self refer to the speech and language service, you don’t need to wait for the health visitor. Or the nursery can do it for you. Has he had his hearing checked?

Thank you - that's very reassuring to know.

Yes I appreciate your comments about things being different when they move up. The new place just seemed far more on the ball and a generally more experienced. It's a small family run nursery and I met the owner etc, and it turns out actually know some of the women working there, who are lovely. I felt they 'got it', where the staff in the current nursery and very sweet but it seems so passive, that they just go through the motions, and that I have to push everything (with the exception of his previous key worker who was fantastic, I am incredibly grateful for all her efforts).

So all in all the decision to move is not solely based on my concerns, but also that I think it will be more suited to my DS' needs. God knows why I didn't look at the new nursery when we we first deciding, as I'm sure I'd have picked it.

He passed his recent hearing test, although tbh I do wonder about his hearing as he often gets words confused and doing the wrong action/noise - nose as no, or sheep as sleep.

We are in touch with integrated therapy services and have spoken to a SALT. She gave us a few tips and said to see how it goes over the next two months, and see how it goes, get back in touch if you aren't seeing an improvement.

Well done finding a nursery better suited to your DS

I am a practitioner with an interest in communication and language. There are lots of things you can do at home. I have attached a photo of the building blocks of communication. Spoken language is the very last block. How is his listening and attention? If he struggles with attention as 99% of 2 year olds do then you can play listening games. Read should stories with flaps and buttons to press. When speaking to him use the match plus one strategy so for instance if he says car you say blue car, what ever it is he is interested in always try to add to the language he is using already. 2-3 is the time where words develop the quickest at the age of 2 children generally have between 10 and 50 words and by 3 they should have 300-500 words. It takes more than we realise for children to become confident talkers. With play and interaction does he play peekaboo games? Things like standing in front of the mirror pulling funny faces and copying each other are a really fun thing to do. Let him take the lead and wait for him. You may need to slow yourself down a bit for him to get the hang of it. Understanding the use of language, can he get random things that aren't in the routine of the day so for instance can he find his coat when you are not going out? Can he find his shoes that kind of thing. Give him simple choices and encourage him to use the word for example ask him do you want water or milk show him the choices indicate as you say it water or milk say he has chosen milk try and encourage the word milk, as you hand it to him say milk you are drinking milk. You may feel daft saying it but you are supporting his using language and don't give in to him easily. Put his favourite toys out of reach so he has to ask for them if he points to the toy and grunts pick up the thing next to it he might grunt again so ask him what he wants and see if he will ask name the toy and try and encourage him to say the word. As adults we take talking for granted after all we have been doing it most of our lives, talking takes a lot of steps and to build a child's confidence with spoken language is the key. Have a look on Facebook and see if your local Borough council has an early years speech and language page. My local one is fantastic and always posting things to help parents and practitioners develop children's speech and language skills. Sorry this is such a long post but I hope it helps 😊

Re hearing test.... Does he suffer with lots of colds? Bare in mind that children who suffer with glue ear can pass hearing tests especially if they don't have a cold at the time.

I dont have any experience with the speech delay but for the basics, I did notice a big difference with the key worker from baby room to toddler room. There just wasnt so much communication. I could go to them with issues but generally things were only really discussed at parents nights.

There is no excuse for him sitting in wet clothes. The nursery should have a stock of spare clothes even if you don't and obviously it's the middle of January so if he is outside he is going to get wet. He should be changed as soon as he is inside, poor little toot. Especially if he an issue communicating with them how uncomfortable he is. Good luck with everything at his new nursery.