What sort of help should a private nursery give a child with SN??

[TinySocks]

I am going to meet with DSs nursery soon. They are very good to him but don?t really go the extra mile to help him improve (he has a severe language delay, very short attention and severe fine motor problems). I don?t know how they compare to other private nurseries, so I have no idea what I could push for.

So, if you don?t mind me being nosey, what sort of help does/did your private nursery give your children? For example, did they write frequent reports about DCs progress? Did they give extra one-to-one time to help with crafts/language/etc? Any information would be really useful.
Thank you.

DS's private nursery was absolutely rubbish. No frequent reports, just scanty observations. If they gave him extra attention they certainly didn't tell me about it, I strongly suspect as he was passive they largely left him to his own devices.

I guess the starting point would be if and how they implement the advice from other professionals... some activities that would be appropriate for all children would be particularly good for helping fine motor problems - e.g. playdoh, encouraging him to use safety scissors - so I suppose that sometimes groupwork will be appropriate.

TC, they do plenty of groupwork, but I know that DS has a very short attention span and without someone sitting next to him "encouraging" him to complete a task, chances are he works on things for 1 minute and gets up. I don't know if it is realistic to expect a private nursery to work on that? They have a ratio of (I think) 1 worker for 6 children.

TinySocks, you're being shortchanged! Your child should not be expected to just fit in with the group. Your DS should have a proper individual programme to help him learn at his pace.
DD is at a private nursery 2 mornings a week. She has a statement now but before that, they provided 1:1 keyworker, and liaised with all her therapists (this is vital, as it's specialist stuff) to create the best possible environment. Their attitude was, 'we will do whatever we can to help DD feel comfortable and learn whatever we need to learn to help her do it.' After all, that's what they provide for typically developing children.
We went for a statement when she was 2 because there was a funding issue with the 1:1 they were providing before.
They're grateful to us for teaching them so much about SN and have taken on another little girl who needs 1:1--so it can be done!

Ds2 (no diagnosis but similar to how you describe) has a simple IEP that his playgroup have drawn up. They use simple language with him, encourage him use his but don't force him to join in with group activities and use his interests to gain his attention. They talk to us regularly about how he's been and what can be done to helip him further.
Ds1 was attending a special needs nursery at Ds2's age, so lots of visual prompts, makaton, simple sentences and familiar routines worked well for him.

Dd2 will be starting nursery in April, she has been going to SN nursery and has been using PECS and visual prompts, she has severe language delay, sensory issues and suspected ASD. I spoke to the nursery last week and they are very keen on using Visual prompts and PECS (if shown how) with her, also we might be able to get funding for a 1:1 if she needs it. Fingers crossed they stick to what they say. This nursery did a great job with dd1 (AS) which is why dd2 will be going there.

is this a private nursery that is ofsted registered? (ie eventually you get thruppence ha'penny off your bill the term after two? or a 'private' nursery attached to an independent school?

if the first - they have access to the same lea facilities as any other nursery ie Area IncO advice, ed psych etc. dd2 was in private nurseries of this type and we had no problems accessing funding for 1-1. her physio, OT and SLT all visited school, and she has been registered on SA+ since 2. lea provided seating/ standing frames etc.

if the second - you're on your own really - any additional help you want they will probably bill you for, and they may not let therapists in.

dd2's 1-1 went on makaton training etc etc. the therapists all helped target set for her ieps.

HTH - there should be no difference at all in an ofsted registered nursery, whether 'state' or 'private'.

term after three, not two - mind in a muddle lol.

Agree with others. DD1 is at a private preschool, ofsted registered.

She has no diagnosis, other than 'Global Development Delay & Epilepsy' When she started preschool, I was unaware that her behaviour had a cause, IYSWIM. But as soon as preschool noticed her issues, they arranged for the Inclusion Officer to see her.

She gets SEN funding from the council, which the preschool is now saying doesn't meet DD's needs because it only funds 1.5 hours 1:1 and she needs full 1:1. So they are applying for extra funding.

They use Makaton with her, and she has a very simple IEP. Right now it is to stay at an activity for 5 minutes with support. She has had that IEP for 2 terms now because she hasn't been able to meet the target yet, but she will get there.

Thank you all for your responses. Very enlightening for me.
We don't live in the UK, and we have now been told that this country does not give funding or support for private nurseries. The problem is that I need DS to go to this particular nursery because it is english speaking.
They really love DS and the environment is great. But DS needs to be encouraged.

I think I will talk to them about having a simple IEP. That sounds like a great idea.

TinyS, can you get any of DS' therapists, especially OT and SALT or the equivalents in your country, to talk to the nursery about what his needs are? Ours gave the nursery their current targets and those were worked into the IEP.

Brilliant idea Arabica. Thank you. OT will be difficult but if they could incorporate the SALT exercises it would be fantastic.

xx

Get the OT to create exercises suitable for nursery to do with him. DD had to learn to isolate her little finger--our OT came to nursery and showed the keyworker how to encourage DD to use her index finger to do stuff rather than her whole hand.

Arabica Its a very good suggestion.

I am a nursery nurse who has worked with SEN babies and children. Even though the private nursery did not 'cater' for special needs, as acting deputy manager I made sure this child was able to come to the nursery and be under my care. I was then elected by my Manager as SEN co-ordinator for the nursery - along with all my other daily roles.

What Im trying to say - although I work in England, if you love your job, and the children, you do what is best for them.

Arabica mentions getting the equivalent of an english OT, highest level possible and make arrangments for that person to be able o go into the nursery for a few hours a day and work on a 1to1 basis with DS.
We know it can be done here, but you will just have to check it out where you are.

Also, If they are a decent enough nursery then they should resepct that they do not have the people to help your Ds and so should allow someone to come into the nursery to help DS.

Thank you for your reply Chellesgirl.

They are very decent people, I don't doubt they look well after children there. I think they would be fine about me bringing someone to work with DS there, but that is not what I was after really (would cost me even more!!).

The problem I find, is that for example, every time I pick him up from creche they give me very little feedback (he was really well today!, that's about all I get). He loves going there, so I know they treat him well and he is happy. But I always find him wondering around the room with no aim while other children are playing with toys.

I have read here on mumsnet about parents that receive written reports and extra help and I was just wondering if this is common for pivate nurseries or if those parents have just been very lucky with their choice.

If you can tell me what country you are in,I'll probably be able to help you more.

I have an Idea.

If you can devise your own IEP, such as this one:

Individual Education Plans

Name:.....................
Area/s of Concern:

Nursery Name:.........................

Targets to be Achieved

1. To be able to express feelings through actions and be heard.
2. To listen more to carer.
3. To sit still on the mat during story time.
4. To attend at least one painting/drawing session throughout the day.

(these are examples ONLY)

Achieved within one week:
1.
2.( Carer is to prvide statements here of what child has managed to accomplish)
3.

Achievement Criteria

1. Accurate when tested at random on three separate occasions.
2. Use words to explain how he his feeling accurately on three separate occasions.
3. Achieved on 6 out of ten occasions over a period of a week.
4. Achieved on 4 occasions.

(This is something maybe you could consider when he is a bit older)

Possible Resources and Techniques

1. Wooden / plastic letters. Phonic workbooks. Card games. Computer programs. Tracking. Dictation.
2. Additional activities. Painting/drawing/sticking.
3. Clear expectations of behaviour at story time / discussion time. Reward chart.
4. Open-ended questions.

Possible Strategies to use in Class

1. Encourage..... to say the sounds he hears in a spoken word.
2. Set verbal questions for him to respond. Provide apparatus for support if needed.
3. Minimise the time spent sitting still at first, gradually build up. Seat....... away from distractions.
4. Rewards systems.

Ideas for Support Teacher / Assistant

1. Use multi-sensory methods for teaching words/numbers.
2. Provide practical activities to obtain ......attention.
3. Look at the reward chart with...... Praise achievement.
4. Use individual discussion.

Parents are to:
Make a chart for everyday that shows all differnt types of faces and ask nursery to fill them out depending on what mood they think hes has been in on that day. Also ask....how he felt today and get him to point to a face that resembles him.

You can also include your own reward chart and provide stickers.

These are only guidelines and of course everything you include is at your descretion.

this is an extract from DD's IEP. It's very basic, but completely at her level, and there are just 4 separate targets to be achieved.

The targets were devised with her nursery keyworker with input from her portage worker, physio, OT, and SALT, also working with portage, the specialist teacher provided by the local educational authority (we get her because of the statement)

Target 1. Making choices

BASELINE:
DD is happy to accept an object offered to her.

TARGET:
DD to make a choice between 2 objects

SUCCESS CRITERIA:
1 out of 2 times

STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES REQUIRED:
Present DD with 2 objects. An attractive object (eg a favourite toy) and one she won't want (eg a toy she isn't interested in). Give LOTS of praise when she makes a
choice.

Target 2 playing with her peers

BASELINE
DD is interested in other children (but doesn't play with them)

TARGET
DD plays with another child for 5 mins

SUCCESS CRITERIA:
1 out of 2 times

STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES
Use songs and music, passing a ball, dancing.