IEP - Individual Education Plan. A sheet of paper that identifies a few of your child's areas of needs, what they intend to do about them, and what they hope to see as a result. Ideally, the targets are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-based), resulting in steady but significant progress towards success in that area.
For example, an IEP might have doing an activity independently for 5 minutes as a target, using a sandtimer.
STATEMENT - A document which firstly identifies the needs of the child (including strengths and weaknesses), then what provision is needed to meet those needs, specifically (either time as 1:1, small group work, specific equipment, therapy such as SALT, input from OT, etc), and which setting will meet them.
Attached to this as appendicies, will be reports from all professionals involved with your child which form the basis for the findings of the statement.
Once statemented, the provision detailed becomes a legal requirement. So the LA has to ensure that it is provided, regardless of other pressures or issues.
Statements are reviewed each year.
A good example would be 1:1. An IEP might provide for 1:1 during literacy time. But, say the school gets another child with additional needs, they may decide to share that time, so your child ends up with 1:2. Or worse, they might decide that they can't afford to give any 1:1, so your child has to just cope.
If a statement says 1:1 during literacy, that is what HAS to happen.
By the way, Pokhara, you know that it is very unlikely that the nursery teacher actually really knows much about statementing, and is even less likely to actually recommend it? One of the mums at my preschool has been sold the line that her DD will get an 'IPA' - Inclusion Partnership Agreement.
Quotes from the blurb:
"The statutory assessment process can be lengthy and may add little value to either understanding a child?s special educational needs or to making arrangements to meet those needs."
"A statutory assessment is not always necessary to provide the reassurance that you want."
"Sometimes, especially for older children, having a statement of SEN can be seen as a stigma and the IPA will avoid this. The process will be less intimidating for your child. Professionals will not need to see your child unnecessarily as part of the process."
"The IPA will be a less bureaucratic process for those who work in the Children?s Services Department SEN Service. It will draw on information from those already concerned with your child rather than waiting for information from someone who might not know your child at all."
Now, let's face it. What it actually means is that a piece of paper with no legal backup will be drawn up after talking to people such as preschool staff (who often have a tiny amount of SEN training), or the SALT who has seen your child 4 times in their life, and who has a vested interest to minimise their needs to reduce their caseload.