Grr

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Took Dd (3, i would say moderate ASD) to mainstream nursery for first day today, to be told she is to get 5 hours only of 1:1 (out of 12.5 hours).

The official line is that she managed at playgroup without support so doesn't need much. The reality is they gave her loads of unofficial support at playgroup.

If staff feel she needs more (she is practically non verbal) they can apply for more. I think they will struggle with her and another 24 kids, so probably will apply for more.

Or they will just leave her to draw alone in the corner as she prefers, and she won't gain anything from nursery.

bump so you can share my outrage!!

Thanks.

She is not on Action/Action Plus as we are in Scotland. They don't do statements here as far as I know. She hasn't got formal diagnosis yet as her referral letter was "lost" so that probably hasn't helped either.

I agree about "managed" all she did at playgroup was wander about and draw, if she does that at nursery she will be way behind when she starts school.

Didn't know 5 hours was standard. Noone has talked to us about ANYTHING and I only found this out today.

The educational psychologist has been meant to visit her at plygroup since June but kept putting her off, so noone has even observed her/got a report from playgroup.

It's a joke. The only good thing is this nursery seems to have fantastic staff who are really good with her, but I don't think they will have enough TIME with her.

I HOPE that they will struggle a bit and fight for the extra hours themselves, I suspect they will as she is lovely but hard work!

Also she has lots of other professionals involved (SALT/OT/ASD team)

I will also be raising this myself. They still might visit her at nursery I think and would hopefully then raise the hours. The paed will be shocked at only 5 hours and will prob back us up too.

sorry for all the posts...at work...As far as I know here they just take each case on their individual merits. But I have never been spoken to by ANYONE about her support, until today, when it was presented as a "done deal".

and i meant to say the Ed Psych kept putting US off, we did not cancel HIM.

in Scotland they used to have record of needs but its now the additional support for learning my son did have a record of needs but because all his needs where met at school he didn't transfer over if I remember right you need to have 2 or 3 agencies working with you and your child.

Fanjo,
Have sent you a CAT message x

My son coped in under 3's class because he got extra support. But the big difference is the staff ratio for under 3's is 1:4 and for over 3's 1:8 or 1:13 (if a teacher is leading the class). My son ASD moderate-moderately severe but the passive type so easy to forget about in a corner & he just got full 12.5 hours via a statement. Before we argued for statement he got 75% (9 hours). You need to ask for the funding criteria - ours related to what % delay he had in various bands (language, social etc) and in how many bands. They should have a written criteria.

Thanks everyone for your input, have not had much time to reply to emails as been working/settling DD at nursery, going on two courses this week but will do soon!

DD is surprising me by settling amazingly well at nursery, its only her second day and I could have left her already.

She is mostly drawing though. I was heartened to see the TA stayed with her most of the time and disregarded the 5 hour rule!

She is extremely happy and enjoying it a lot so far, just hope she can get something out of it!

Will just Grr a bit more I think!

Although DD is happy and settled I have been asked only to leave her for an hour next week and to wait until the TA arrives.

i.e. I have to fill in for the lack of support.

They are struggling with her a little. She isn't allowed outside much as there is noone to keep an eye on her for most of the time.

Fanjo sounds like they are already failing her

yes, however I still remain optimistic that they will sort it out as i am impressed with the staff, will see how next week goes.