Feeling overwhelmed about nursery support, EHCP process and starting school

[Leabee1234]

I’ve just walked out of a meeting with my sons nursery in tears and feeling completely overwhelmed. He turns 3 next week.

The nursery is struggling to manage him at the moment. They’re fighting to get 1-to-1 support for him, but the council keeps rejecting it, which is so frustrating. my son hits out a lot and has bad meltdowns where he can become a risk to the other children, throwing hitting etc and the staff are getting overwhelmed. Because the council keeps turning down the funding, I might even have to reduce his hours at nursery for now.

I think as he’s getting older, he’s struggling with his emotions even more. He seems to understand more of what’s going on around him, but because his communication is so difficult, it just leads to frustration. To give a bit more context on his speech: he isn't non-verbal, but he is non-conversational. He actually speaks a lot, but he doesn't have much understanding, which makes communicating really tough for him.

He’s due to start school next year, and the nursery is currently gathering all the info to start getting an EHCP in place for him. I am worrying so much about how he will manage at school.

He also had his first autism assessment on Monday.They said if there’s enough evidence right now, it will go straight to the panel. If not, they’ll come and observe him in nursery in 5 months' time and go to panel after that for a diagnosis. He also has a paediatrician appointment next month. It just feels like such a long, painful process.

ive been crying since back. Im really concerned about the future and him starting school. I wish I knew how to stop him hitting throwing especially others . I hate the thought of him being excluded at school if no one wants to go near him if hes hitting out and acting this way it breaks my heart.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation with council rejections for 1-to-1 funding? Or have any advice on navigating the EHCP and assessment process when you're feeling this stuck?

Any advice or words of encouragement would be much appreciated

I presume it is early years inclusion funding (or whatever your LA calls that) that the nursery is applying for that has been rejected? Not uncommon, I’m afraid. Do you know how much and what evidence they have submitted.

Request an EHCNA now. Don’t wait. You can do this yourself. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

What support is the nursery providing? What have they already tried that hasn’t worked? What outside agencies have they referred to/sought advice from? Have they asked the Area SENCO for advice? If your area still has them, have they approached the specialist teaching service? Have they kept a detailed diary/ABC chart/STAR analysis to spot triggers?

Is DS under SALT?

What about OT

Does your LA have any specialist early years assessment placements?

What type of nursery is it and is it the nursery who has mentioned reduced hours and is that in writing?

Yes that has been rejected. However he clearly needs support and the nursery are struggling.

They have a quiet corner with sensory equipment for him and they rotate staff and ensure they have an additional staff member in there at times when he is having a melt down.

I have not yet applied for ehcp nursery are starting that within next few weeks and they said they can do it for me with my assistance and other professions involved.

Me and nursery try to tell eachother whar we are doing but when he is having a melt down not much can calm him down. He does sometimes get distracted if you distract him with something or putting him in quiet corner can help but sometimes it doesn't. Its different everyday.
The area senco are visiting next week she said she is seeking more support from them then and going to question the funding again

They have a log for him of what could trigger him and what support he needs on a daily basis. They had the lower funding granted however wasn't enough for additional staff

On waiting list for SALT. Long process
Not sure of OT? He is currently being assessed and hopefully once he receives diagnosis I can get more support

Private nursery no this was just spoke about in the meeting and suggested as something to try

What evidence did the nursery have to support their application for early years inclusion funding?

Other than the sensory area, what support has the nursery provided?

What has the nursery done to try to spot triggers? It isn’t easy, but it is easier to try to deescalate before DC reach the point of no return.

Unless the nursery is going to submit the EHCNA ASAP, I would do it yourself. Unfortunately settings often say they will in a few weeks/later than term/whenever but don’t actually do it when they say they will. You don’t have time to waste. And an EHCNA should have been submitted well before now.

Going forward, follow up all verbal conversations with emails so you have a paper trail.

The vast majority of support is based on needs rather than diagnosis.