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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Childcare for SN kids???

15 replies

chonky · 08/09/2004 22:06

I was just wondering what everyone did in terms of SN childcare for the under 2s? I'm starting to think seriously about returninhg to work P/T, to save my sanity & sort our finances out, however I'm really not sure what's the best route to take in terms of finding someone to look after dd. She is a bit of a demanding madam (like her Mum ) as she still can't play on her own e.g grab & chew toys and so gets very bored v.quickly. She also needs frequent doses of physio through the day.
Being a SAHM is an option if needed, but to be honest I'd like to work a bit to take my mind off all the anxiety we've had over her progress.
Did anyone find good nurseries or use childminders? I've also thought of trying to find a granny/ Mrs.Doubtfire type who'd come into our home (not 24 x 7!), but have a feeling that this option would be pretty pricey.
Sorry if this seems really daft, just not sure where to start . I don't want to be really precious about her, but at the same time I don't like the thought of her being left to cry as she needs so much 1 to 1.

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blossomhill · 08/09/2004 22:10

Chonky - I think your best bet would probably be a special needs childminder. They are specially trained I believe.
I didn't go back to work but my dd went to a intergrated sn playgroup from 2.5yrs that was from 9.30-12. They were brilliant, I knew my dd was in safe hands which is a good feeling. My dd needed that little bit extra and certainly got it there.

KatieMac · 08/09/2004 22:16

There is the Home Childcarer scheme which is a childminder in your home (details on NCMA website) and there is going to be a new scheme - it's voluntary and it's at the consultancy stage - so it could be a while arriving. This appears to be registration for Nannies etc.
A childminder may be able to help but you would have to pay a premium if s/he were unable to look after any other children whilst caring for your DD.
Have you discussed with SS about respite care....they can also find Childminders in the area with specialist training..

Good luck

Original poster

chonky · 08/09/2004 22:22

That sounds a good idea. We're starting at a local support group with physios/SALTs etc. in a couple of weeks, so hoping that people there may know of someone.
Have found a local integrated sn playgroup just this week which seems great, although I can't leave her with them until she's 3. She's only 5 months at the mo. No rush to get back to work, but want to start thinking about it sooner rather than later (before I go mad /bankrupt). We just moved to a new area before dd was born so finding being a SAHM a bit harder I think than if we were living where we used to and had long-term friends up the road.

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Original poster

chonky · 08/09/2004 22:25

Sorry, I take so long to type a reply that another one appears - thanks KatieMac too!

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heartinthecountry · 08/09/2004 22:29

Hi chonky - try and find out if your local authority Children's Information Network has a SN childcare co-ordinator. I think they usually have lists of childminders in the area anyway but when I got in touch with them in Greenwich they had just appointed someone specifically to try and match childminders who were interested in looking after a child with SN and children who have SN.

Have to say our childminder is great. She doesn't have any specific training but the right attitude. She is really happy to learn more about dd and her needs and what she can do. The reason I chose a childminder over a nursery is because she only has 2 other kids so I guessed dd was less likely to be overlooked. But a good nursery would I'm sure be equally as good. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable that she is getting the support she needs. It's not being precious, it's being a mum!

I've gone back to work 2 days a week and I have to say it does work really well. I know dd is happy and cared for on the days I'm not with her and tbh I enjoy the time I spend with her much more for having had a break.

There is an agency called SNAP which specialises in nannies for SN children but they are very expensive.

Original poster

chonky · 08/09/2004 22:33

Was starting to get down about how I'd never make it back to work (I NEVER imagined I'd miss the office ), feel far more positive now, thanks.

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Jimjams · 08/09/2004 22:56

attitude is the most important thing-look at childminders and nurseries. DS1 went to a great mainstream nursery- he's a case study in tomorrow's nursery world magazine- as an example of good inclusion proactice.

eidsvold · 08/09/2004 23:56

our dd attended a mainstream nursery full time from 1 - almost 2yo when we left the UK. They were brilliant - as jimjams says - attitude is sooo important. I in fact looked at a nursery that made a big deal about their special needs capabilities and within about 2 minutes I knew this was not the place for dd - mainly cause their big concession to special needs was makaton signs in the toilet and that was about it... not helpful for a 1yo who is in nappies.

Her nursery were wonderful... they intergrated the physio things that she needed into her daily care. They were so willing to learn and ask for help and understanding regarding dd and down syndrome - the nursery staff themselves and particularly dd's carers made an effort to learn makaton, read up more about ds so they could understand where we were coming from.

She loved every minute of it and so did her carers. She did not miss us at all... she loved the interaction with the other kids and the adults who cared for her. There were a lot of tears - from the staff when we left... also from me - I was concerned about leaving dd whilst I went back to work and wondered if she would suffer because of it... but she thrived.

Having said all that - we are looking for a nursery just for her to attend one day a week so that she has something that is just for her and will let me have one day a week with no2 when they arrive. So far - nothing has met up with my expectations... again another one here that made a big deal about meeting individual needs etc and saw no evidence of that despite the high price. I think we were spoilt in the UK with dd's carers.

I think check out nurseries in your area - go and visit and you will get a feel for it - check out the kids attending the centre. The one dd went to - the kids were all friendly, well cared for and looked like they were having fun.

Original poster

chonky · 09/09/2004 09:58

It's so good to hear everyone's positive stories. I'll start looking around at nurseries now, as although I don't plan to return to work until March, she might need to go on a waiting list. There's a couple that have been strongly recommended, likewise others that I've been strongly warned off - but I'll go & see all just to get a good overview.

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Jimjams · 09/09/2004 10:09

Don't assume that a SN place will be the best available for your child. IN our area we now have an excellent ICAN nursery- ideal for children with speech/language problems with an excellent reputation. At the time we had to get ds1 into nursery that wasn't available (not sure they take ASD anyway) and the only SN place available was the nursery attached to the CDC. It had a DREADFUL attitude- awful awful awful. My friend's dd went there and on Jubilee day my friend enquired why this nursery was basically the only nursery in the land not to have Jubilee party. And the answer? "no point is there - they don't understand". When I heard that (amongst other equally delightful stories) I decided over my dead body would ds1 be going there.

Original poster

chonky · 09/09/2004 10:21

Crikey - that's awful Jimjams . I don't thnk we have any SN specific nurseries nearby - but I agree that their attitude is paramount and if they get that right in her care, the rest should follow.

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sis · 09/09/2004 10:54

Good grief Jimjams! do they really think the other other 2-4 year olds up and down the country 'understood' what the jubilee actually meant?! I mean, it is an excuse for a party and a good time to be had by the kids - what a miserable lot!

blossomhill · 09/09/2004 13:26

God jj that's awful. I just want to say that my personal experience of the sn nursery dd attended was very, very positive. They couldn't do enough. If I was feeling down the playgroup manager would sit down, make a coffee and talk for as long as I needed, sometimes I would be in tears. In the early days I found things so hard to except and they were there for me 100% ! If it wasn't for them and there support dd would not have made the progress and been where she is today. They sorted out the ed pyschologist, portage and everything that dd needed. They even went out of there way to help with dd's potty training. If dd needed a cuddle, that's what she had. They started the ball rolling with the statement. They were absolutely brilliant and I knew hand on heart dd was very well cared for. Even now dd talks about it and we often go into visit. Dd was on a 4:1 ratio which is really good and helped dd no end. There were also nt children there so dd had the best of both really, infact in some ways reminds me of dd's school now. They understood dd and that makes a world of difference.

Original poster

chonky · 09/09/2004 18:52

Thanks everyone for relaying their experiences. It's good to hear of the good, the bad, and in the case of JJ's story the downright ugly. Has definitely provided dh & I with food for thought.

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fio2 · 10/09/2004 06:52

Christ Jimjams thats awful

chonky, where we used to live they had an SN nursery (I think this is quite unusual though) they used to take your child, providing they had a statement, from two years old FULL TIME! My dd went there from 3

Before that we had 1 awful experience with a private nursery and 1 absolutely brilliant experience with a private nursery.

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