Don’t think child is ready for school this year

[Brainfogmcfogface]

As per title and I’m not sure what to do, or if I can do anything really. My almost 4 yo starts school on September, she has speech issues and can barely be understood, she doesn’t instigate conversations or speak very much at all if not asked a question directly, communicating is a struggle for her. She goes to nursery a few mornings a week as only entitled to 12 hours a week (stretched hours) and enjoys it but doesn’t have any friends really and although plays she is perfectly happy on her own, she isn’t bothered about the adults either and after 2 years doesn’t help particularly like any of them. When I look at my oldest at the same age my youngest miles away from where her sibling was.

Assuming she’ll get into the same school as her sibling, it’s the biggest in the area with a joint reception of 2 classes in the same room, I had no worries about my oldest she was confident and perfectly capable of communicating to her teacher. But my youngest, I’m scared will get left behind and lost. I’ve tried for an echp but been rejected and told the school should have the resources to deal with any additional needs, but as a parent of a child at the school I know how quite frankly crap it is at dealing with kids who have additional needs, so I really don’t think it does but it’s also not feasible to send her to another school as I’m a single parent (not that any nearby are particularly any good)
I think if she could do another year of a small ratio nursery environment would help her but she’s not a summer baby so I don’t have the option wait, she’s been on the wait list for speech and language therapy for a year now and there’s no sign of that starting soon, we read lots, and I’ve followed all the advice online etc but I’m just not seeing much improvement and I can’t see a massive change happening before September, so what do I do? Any advice? Similar experience? I’m so worried for her, she’s the sweetest little thing but as people don’t understand her it’s almost like she doesn’t bother anymore and kids don’t bother with her because they don’t understand her, it all makes me so sad for her, I want her to love school and feel safe there, not lost in a massive room of kids who won’t understand and consequently ignore her.

Ok. When you say you got turned down for an ehcp, do you mean the ehcna got rejected? If so, reapply. It's free and in 90% of cases parents win.

Ok ow you're on the waiting list for SLT, has she had a hearing test yet?

If she has additional needs has she been assessed by. Paediatrician yet?

Could you up nursery hours? Lots of children are in nursery a lot more before they start school and it may help her get used to the school environment.

Im appealing the decision but it’s unlikely I’ll win as they have said the school has the resources already but I’ll try.

hearing test was fine and no not on assessed by a paediatrician, I didn’t think she’d need to, as she was already assessed as needed speech therapy

single parent, no money for extra hours, im dirt poor, I really wish I could, I live on the breadline as it is, so finding the extra £200
a month (that is the actual amount I’ve checked) to just give her one full day at nursery is just impossible

I've read your update and I'd be tempted to send her to school if things are that tight.

Can I ask who assessed her and said she needed SLT? Was it the HV?

I'd ask the HV to look at her again once she's 4 and do the 48 month ASQ

If there are any concerns thrown up by that, I'd ask the HV to refer to a Paediatrician so they can have a look at her and see what's up, if anything.

The SN Children section on MN is usually very helpful too

Hi op

My son has similar struggles.

What does nursery say? They can do some speech work with her prior to SALT.

Do they agree she needs a peads referral in?
Who originally assessed her?

Can you speak to your GP/HV?

I would ask for HV to come out and raise your concerns, along with raising to nursery.
Ask for a TAFF meeting, this is a meeting with you, nursery and your HV.
Address concerns and ask what help she can get.

Hi, she was assessed HV at her 2 year check initially then by a speech and language therapist at the local children’s centre.
Nursery don’t seem overly concerned to be honest, they say she’ll get there with her speech,and is happy whilst she’s there, and although they’ve now been told to involve the inclusivity partner by the ECHP lead at the council, they haven’t yet as they only come once a month and so need to wait until the next visit, although they did say this should be after half term so waiting on the outcome of that visit.

I will contact the Hv again and see if they can do anything else, and see if I can get a pedestrian referral too. Thank you