How to choose a main stream playgroup/nursery for dd2 ASD/non verbal

[Marne]

Hi, at the moment dd2 attends a sn play group 2 mornings a week, they are advising that i put dd2 into main stream for a couple mornings as she is sociable and very bright (most of the children at her playgroup are more severe than dd2), they would also like her to go to main stream to help her learn more as she loves numbers etc.

I am hoping to get her into a playgroup/nursery in April (she will be 3.1). How do i find a suitable group?

I would like to send her to the nursery dd1 (AS) went to but i'm not sure if they have any experience of using PECS. We are hoping to get funding for a 1 on 1 for her.

If dd2 does go to this nursery will they send staff on a PECS course to learn how to comunicate with her? (dd is non-verbal, can do a few signs but mainly uses PECS)

What should i be looking for in a playgroup/ nursery?

Would a nursery be more suitable as Dd2 likes to learn as well as play?

Thanks Fio, we are going to look around the nursery dd1 went too next Tuesday, i know the nursery leaded and the staff well and i hope they will be understanding with dd2, they didn't seem to worried about the fact she is non-verbal. I will also get dd2's sn nursery leader to give them a ring next week to see if they are willing to work along side each other with using PECS.

True, they did a great job with dd1 (Aspergers), dd2 is really laid back, has no behaviour problems just poor communication, she is starting to do things when asked but has a lot of sensory issues. She's so easy to look after that i worry the staff will forget she's there IYKWIM.

I'm really excited for her as i know she will get a lot out of being in main stream and she will love this nursery's strict routine (which is why dd1 loved it there).

All playgroups have a SENCO from the LEA, worth ringing him/her up to ask which preschool she would recommend? My dd2 went to both SN and mainstream playschool and now does joint placement for school as well, and she is non-walking, non talking, peg-fed etc etc etc so it can be done. Keep at it !