Advice on primary school place for prem with developmental delay

[JoEW]

I am probably worrying about this far too early (PFB) but am already thinking about school place for my DS. He's 18 months (I know, it's years away!) and was born 8 weeks early. He has had significant developmental delays, both physical and with speech and we are already on the waiting list for a SALT assessment. He's also very small, 0.4 for his corrected age.

We have two schools locally that would be options, one is very highly regarded and the other is pretty rough and ready. We live nearer the latter. I am wondering if there is anything I can do to improve his chance of getting a place at the better school.

It might be the case that by the time he starts school his issues are gone but I want to understand if there is anything I can be doing should he still have these challenges when he's older.

I appreciate this isn't a SN, as such, but I thought this was the best place to post for good advice. I hope I don't offend anyone by doing so.

Ds1 was eight weeks prem, very low birth weight, speech delay etc. We went for the rough and ready local school mainly because I couldn't drive. He is now seven and recently diagnosed with high functioning autism. School have been great, really supportive, and I feel that the fact they are used to working with families facing various challenges and kids of widely varying abilities has been a heal advantage for us. Anecdotally I know of parents with kids at supposedly outstanding schools who have felt really unsupported by school when their children have had difficulties.
I would ask to visit both schools, explain your situation and concerns, and see how they react.

Thanks Dora, it hadn't even occurred to me that the better school might not necessarily be the best school for him. Good idea to visit them both and chat about it. I hope all is going well with your DS, it must have been a tough journey to his diagnosis, good to hear that the school has been so supportive.

Dora is right, IME the supposed good school was totally the wrong place for Dd3.
The school she is in now is a real mix bag of children from all different backgrounds and many have SN's, it is fab and has recently become outstanding for all the right reasons.

Definitely shop around

speak to the head & Senco at each school, choose the school that is open & honest & welcoming & is going to work with you to best meet your childs needs whatever they maybe at the time.
Choose a school that is happy to work with outside professionals & with you.

DS2 was brn at 28 wks, we new he needed a quiet, calm, nurturing environment. We were fortunate to be able to choose a small village primary who while experienced with SN was still willing to learn & didnt assume ds2 was just like the other children with similar dx.
We were able to look around & see classroom TA's working with other children with various SN's, they also already used makaton & visual supports throughout the school.

Dont forget if YOU believe that your ds will need additional provision at school or NUrsery then you can apply for a "statement" via the LEA.

Thank you so much for the advice, I tend to feel as though I am worrying far too much but the first 18 months of his life have had their moments and I can't help but think about the next steps and the possible challenges.

He's at nursery four days a week at the moment and manages absolutely fine but he's still little and it's mainly free play, which is no problem. It's a small and caring nursery and the staff are lovely with him.

I hadn't even heard about a statement till reading on MN today, so it's really helpful. we'll hopefully have the SALT meeting long before I need to start applying so I can use that as a starting point.

Worth getting on waiting lists for Portage physio and occupational therapy now. Most departments accept self referrals.

It's worth getting reports in place as early as possible so you can plan a decent early intervention package yourself. Then you can start arguing your dc's case to have it funded. Once ds turns 2, the council will become much more involved. Most people here find this means professionals start being 'encouraged' to see the dc's needs as minimal.