Is it possible to get an EHCP for a preschooler who isn't at nursery?

[middleageshoutout]

I want to apply for a EHCP for my 3 year old because I think it's likely he'll need support when he starts school. He doesn't start until September next year but I've heard it can take a year to go through the process. He currently goes to a childminder when I'm at work.

Everyone keeps telling me I have to put him in a pre-school nursery so they can see how he copes and determine his needs. They say it will be difficult to get a EHCP when he isn't in an official setting.

I don't really want to put him in nursery for so many reasons.

Can anyone give me any advice?

Anyone?

👋

Yes, it can be done. You, or the childminder can start the process. This is a good website for information
www.ipsea.org.uk/what-you-need-to-know/ehc-needs-assessments

If this doesn't help pm me and I'll see what else I can find out

He is in an official setting. Childminders are as official as any nursery so don't worry about that.

OK thanks. The childminders is an official setting but is small ie. there's only DS and one other child, so doesn't give us any idea how he would cope in a bigger setting. Also the childminder sets things up to suit DS, and he gets lots of adult attention. This wouldn't happen so much in nursery where the ratios are higher and he would be expected to take part in group activities.

The child minder should be able to access an early yrs SEND adviser at your LA.

S/he might be based at the Inclusion team and should be able to help. If you lived in my LA and did a parental request it would be automatically refused if your child hasnt been seen by an Educational Psychologist. Its unlawful but that doesnt stop them so I would suggest asking the early yrs SEND advisor about how to access an EP. You will need one at some point anyway.

Good luck

Oh the SEND advisor might be called an area sendco.

Luckily he's been seen by an ed psych already.

Its just difficult to know what to do because no one gives me advice except to say get him in nursery! Everyone seems to think that once he's in nursery his development will suddenly improve. I think the opposite!

Is the send advisor the same thing as sendiass?

No the advisor will work either for the SEND team, the inclusion team or early years. They are often ex teachers who have moved into an advisory role, some are good, others not so. But they would be able to help you navigate the system.

I would do a parental request if he has already been seen by an EP.

Good luck

OK thanks

Can I ask your son's needs/ if he has a diagnosis?

My experience has been a diagnosis can for you into a pathway with automatic referrals.

Not that you'd can't anyway, but it's worth looking at

He has ASD but not received an official diagnosis yet. There's a long wait for this, I've been told summer at the earliest. He's been given a diagnosis of "social communication difficulties, likely ASD" in the meantime.

He is language delayed, his understanding where my daughter's was at 18 months old. His speech is ok but probably about 95% echolalic. He recites tv programmes/songs/random bits of speech constantly.

He doesn't really follow instructions. He isnt potty trained and doesn't get it at all, he eats with his hands, can't or won't attempt to dress or undress himself. You can't discipline him (either using punishment or rewards) because he doesn't understand.

He get very stressed if people talk to him, especially if they're asking him questions. Even if its something good like "do you want a cake?".

He can be aggressive and will scream "go aWAY" at people over and over again, especially if they keep talking to him.

He's understanding of the world is about the same as an 18 month old. He has no idea of most of the stuff most 3 year old kids would like.

Developmentally I would say he is where my DD was at 18 months. In some things better than this (ie. He knows all his colours and numbers). Others less then this (ie. Socially and understanding of things).

My dd was very similar at 3, receptive language 12 months, similar behaviour. I did try nursery and she did get worse, added spinning and doing nothing into the mix and constant ear covering. Started hiding under furniture too and actively avoided all contact, rather than passively doing so. So I think you're right in nursery decision.

I've had very little support from Sen, round here she was never quite bad enough and on the edge of getting any therapy. Try to apply for EHC by all means, but it is hard prior to a setting. Google and ring Sen to find out how to apply and just push.

(We home ed now so can't help with reception entry)

Sorry to hear about your DD's bad experience in nursery. It seems a crazy system where you have to essentially put your child in an unsuitable and stressful setting and let them fail, before even the smallest amount of support is given It makes me so angry.

And I totally recognise the lack of support. My DS is gets nothing currently, apart from what me and the childminder provide, which is only stuff like using very simple language, using an egg timer for transitions. I'm trying to get some visuals together but am basically trying my best to work out how to implement this on my own because I've not been given any advice other than to use them!
DS has been assessed by SALT but is still waiting for some actual sessions. There's a ridiculously long wait for everything round here.

That's what we felt, we had to let her sink.

On the plus she started to blossom approaching four, receptive language came on and she is so much calmer. A bit...nuts... for want of a better word, but lovely. More he routine and obsessions now that need managing, such s chewed food everywhere including in my shoes!

Salt were oh so shit, 2 yra to parents interaction therapy, which was really a parenting group. Presuming you look at nd talk to your child daily there was nothing in it.

Could you request portage or try? Ask the EP team? All I can think of.

I asked about portage but they only provide it for children who are too young for early years nursery funding. Once they get their free 15 hours they consider that job done. Even though a mainstrean nursery is possibly not best equipped to support a child with ASD.

Have you actually asked portage or is it the person who would do the referral saying that? My DS has been accepted for both 15 free hours preschool and portage (not that we're using either but that's another story) but I was told several times that he wouldn't meet the criteria so no point referring, it was lies.

I know this is so old but your SALT comment is spot on.

Loved getting hand outs saying "get on your child's level and make eye contact"

She's nearly 4 and her language is coming on loads now since Christmas which is a bit of a relief at least!