Worried about ds starting school in september

[Alarielle]

My ds had an assessment at nursery last week to put an IEP in place and so far he doesn't meet the criteria but they are waiting for input from the SALT before they make the decision. He is due to start school in September and his main difficulties I envisage is his inability to dress/undress himself and he is generally unable to walk very far but these 2 things won't be obvious at nursery. I'm just worried they will except him to dress himself and what will happen if he goes on a day trip somewhere. Is there anything I should be doing? I don't know much about the processes needed to put help in place etc. He has mild cp and he is 12 months behind in language development and is under the SALT, OT and physio.

DS1 only has a speech disorder but once he was accepted at our school we had a meeting with the class teacher (who luckily was the SENCO) to chat with her about his problems.

I find it hard that nursery think that he does not meet the criteria for an IEP. I pushed for an IEP for DS1 even though his speech disorder is not severe as if things are already in place it saves so much time. When your son starts school he will already be on school action plus because he has input from SALT, OT, and physio. What have these professional said about the support he will need in school. Will he need extra support for PE sessions for example.

When looking at schools one of my main aims was to find a school that would suit DS1 and his needs and I met with the SENCO at one school before I even put my preferences in.

THe school I preferred and luckily got has been fantastic in their support. DS1 gets loads of extra help instead of going to every assembly and from the TA who supports pupils across the school.

I work in special education as well and in my experience you have to push, push and push to get the best for your child.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry it's the IEP assessor who says he didn't meet the criteria, the nursey have been very helpful and have also contacted the Physical Outreach Team for an assessment. The SENCO is trying to do as much as she can before he starts school. I haven't spoken to any of the professionals yet about it but reviews with them all are coming up within the next three weeks. Starting school has always seem like a distant event and suddenly it has gotten closer.

I'm happy with his first choice school, they seem great with inclusion, have areas and rooms set up for children who need additional help at times away from their class and have funded children from their own budget when the LA wouldn't.

Insist on an IEP. My daughter had one in nursery (without my knowledge actually) and get the ball rolling for some extra help in reception. DD is on action+ and has 2 hours every day 1 to 1 with a teaching assistant.
She is very young in her year (late August born) and moderately delayed but is coping well and enjoying school with the additional support she has.

What are the reasons for him not meeting the critetia for IEP? You say he has problems walking far. Is there a medical reason for this?

I had a chat with the SENCO, he was observed by the LA for a morning and they said he didn't have any additional needs from what they saw. He has mild cerebal palsy and is fine pottering about the play area and walking around nursery (apart from his balance) but cannot walk far without being in a lot pain/getting tired. He can walk to the local shop but further distances he needs to stop frequently and ends up being carried or goes in the buggy. He needs his hand held when going up and down stairs or in unfamilar places and needs extra supervision on play equipment etc.

Apparently the criteria to apply to be assessed for an IEP was he had to be under the care of at least 3 different professionals.

Well that is rubbish. DD was under speech therapy and a paed when she got her IEP. The irony is that her preschool had no knowledge of any referrals at all when they devised it. They saw a little 3 yr old not meeting the milestones expected for her age group and implemented a care plan.