Autistic child nursery school hours

[Noorandapples]

I have a 3yr old, he's been accepted into a nursery school attached to a great primary school. I've been very open about his autism while applying, his older brother goes to the school and I chat with the staff daily, they've been happily chatting about how they're so excited about younger brother starting here etc.

Now the senco has decided, two weeks before summer holidays, that they're not sure if they are the "right fit" after all, can only offer an hour a day, maybe I should apply somewhere else. The problem is everywhere else in my area is over subscribed so we would be on a waiting list until January. I provided them with his diagnosis, supporting papers and updates a while ago and it seems like they've only just read them and it's a matter of not being allowed legally to say they don't want him there after all, so just offering an hour a day to force my hand and withdraw him.

Am I being over sensitive here? Sometimes I can be a bit of a doormat, I don't want to just shrug and say okay, no nursery school for him then.

There's a meeting scheduled this week about his entrance and I'm not really sure what to expect. Any experience of this kind of thing?

You are not being oversensitive. Do you have it in writing? Does DS have an EHCP? Has the school applied for early years inclusion funding? Is the school a state school or independent?

I do have his diagnosis, but not an EHCP, I thought that would happen along with nursery. I don't have their offer of an hour a day in writing but I suppose they might be waiting until our meeting for that. It's a state school and they haven't applied for funding, but I'm sure they will because surely they would be able to get enough for a 1-1.

I'm a little lost with how it all works, my older son has a child in his class with sen and has a fantastic 1-1, is always included in school life and I suppose I saw how well he is doing as a really great sign for the school.

I would request an EHCNA yourself. On their website, IPSEA have a model letter you can use.

Try to get the nursery saying they don’t think it is the right fit and only attending 1hr a day in writing. In future, follow up verbal conversations with emails so you have it in writing should you need it as evidence. If you want DS to attend for the full hours you can insist unless formally excluded.

Thank you, I really appreciate the advice!