upcoming meeting with SENCO of DD's nursery

[chocjunkie]

DD (3.3) started nursery in April. she has SN though we don't have a dx yet. we only have seen paed once so far and will see him again in july.

DD she is severely speech delayed (paed thinks it is more a disorder); paed doesn't think so much asd (but won't rule it out either), he mainly suspects sensory processing problems and auditory processing problems...

atm, DD is also having a block of speech therapy (small group therapy though this feels like a drop in the ocean ).

DD isn't settling well into nursery; refuses to take part in group time and rather plays outside on her own most of the time. because of her s&l problems (she is about 1-1.5 years behind, both expressive and receptive), she can't communicate her needs and doesn't understand a lot of what is going on.

the nursery approached me yesterday to tell me they would like to meet and to discuss DD's needs and how to help her.

I haven't been in such a meeting before so this is all very new for me. wondered if anybody here has any advice? what are usually the first steps taken after nursery feels that a child needs extra support? what kind of support for DD should I expect/demand?

TIA

I'l explain to them what the position is with paed/salt, show them any salt programme/written recommendations, then see what they say. I imagine they may discusss looking to get funding from the council for some 1-1 support hours for your DD, and look at some sort of IEP - individualised education plan, to set some goals for your DD in areas she's finding difficult. and in general talk through how to make DD happier at nursery. If she's having difficulties communicating her needs, I don't know if SALT have advised on any sort of photos/choice board etc or signing - as that would be a big practical area for the nursery to work on, to help her communicat her needs

HI - we're going through the same with my dd. Do you know if the SENCO is the nursery's own or linked to the counil? If it's the former, ask them how they link up with the council area pre-school SENCOs, as they are the ones with the power to get additional specialist help for your child

My DD started nursery 3 months ago when she turned 1. She has severe learning difficulties along with speech & language delays. Although it might sound scary, the meetings for us have been really helpful. DD has a DX, so her support networks are already in place, but the SENCO (council) has arranged for her SALT to come into the nursery to give her carers tips on how to help her communicate more & given them fun games they can play to help. They've also managed to get us on a 13 week communication course (night classes) and an intensive sign language course to again try and help push her development along.

The nursery have been fantastic & have really embraced all the suggestions the SALT & SENCO put forward and have even volunteered to send their staff on the signing course (at their cost) if it would help.

Good luck!

thanks TC, just getting all the salt stuff (reports etc together).

@proudmum: Senco is the nursery's own but it is a council nursery. so hopefully this will help.

I am really glad that DD's needs are addressed but I really felt a bit down after the senco told me they have to see my and DP to talk about DD. her SN becoming more and more obvious the older she gets :(

Hi we're just coming out the other side of pre-school and starting the transition to school with ds who is v similar to your dd - 4 yrs and only about 15 words but we have had the most fantastic support from the Senco - she developed a plan to help ds - included getting extra funding to allow ds to have 15mins speech therapy every day he was in pre-school based on what he was doing with his SaLT in clinic. Also she introduced Makaton signing to all the children in such a way that is was an integral part o the day with all the children signing so that ds counld join in. It also meant that ds was put on Early Years Action + which meant that he got extra support from the LEA Inclsion officer which means his transition to school should be easier as he is already "in the system" iyswim.

You are lucky that the nursery is pro-active re sen as thats half the battle. I have a friend with a child with asd who when she approached her pre-school with her concerns was told that she was looking for problems and that there was nothing wrong. Good luck

choc

May be a step too far for you at present but I would now seriously look at applying for a statement now from the LEA particularly if speech therapy will be ongoing.

IPSEA's website can help with regards to the statementing process; it is not too early to start this.

Things like Early Years action plus is okay in theory but its not legally binding so can too easily fall down.