Melanie Atkinson: Aunt Mel's Childcare

Local Offer

Description

How does my setting monitor and know if children require additional support or help and what should I do if I think a child may have special educational needs or disabilities?

I will liaise with parent from the very start of a child’s care.  I will gather information from the parent that states what child is capable of doing in all areas of the EYFS, constantly observe and assess the child to ensure that any additional support is picked up on as soon as possible. 

There will be constant communication between myself and parents and observations and assessments on a child’s development will also be made readily available for parents to read and comment and add to. This will take place in the form of a small file with all their observations recorded for the parents to keep when the child eventually leaves my setting. 

A two year check will take place between myself and parents and information also provided by health visitors.  Parents concerns will be addressed and noted in writing and worked with.  I will make myself available to liaise with local nurseries/preschools and speech therapists/health visitors, etc. to ensure information is shared.

I can seek support from my local SureStart if any advice needed and early years advisor, working alongside and with parents’ permission.

I will observe and plan activities that cater to children’s appropriate age range, and follow children’s own interests to gain best knowledge on the children as well as child led play.

How I will help your child and support you helping them

As described above I will utilise observations and assessments and record and feed back to yourself and follow a tracking sheet to ensure your child is developing to the early years guide.  I will give you ideas on how to develop certain areas with play at home and activities that will build on your child’s learning and development. 

If additional help from any other services such as speech therapist is required then we can do so together if wished for. With regards to transition to school from my setting, I will work with the new setting where required and share information from the child’s observations alongside parents and gather as much information as I can on the new setting so myself and the child are familiar with it.

What experience have I had with additional services

In the 11 years I have been a childminder I have had experience in assisting children with referral to speech therapy and working with both a speech therapist and parents/child in progressing the child's development.  This was documented and all 3 parties worked together with successful outcome. 

I liaise regularly with transport, for children being escorted to and from school who have additional requirements and work well to ensure the transition each term runs smoothly week to week.

I take up regular training to ensure I can offer the best care I can in support of any child, and if required to do so will undertake further training to gain further knowledge in certain areas.

I have recently obtained my level 3 diploma in children and young peoples workforce to progress myself.

Resources

I have a local park and a school within a 3 minute walk and good outdoor resources.  I am very easily located with good parking capability.  Families are more than welcome to come and have a look around my setting and the local area to ensure the setting will meet requirements. I have toys and resources to cater to all ages and I am willing to work along side parents should any additional requirements be made. I have a good sized back garden which is private and outdoor toys, I have a separate play room and kitchen and also a separate sitting room.

Safeguarding

All parents will be made very aware and given copies of my policies to ensure your child is kept safe and well cared for in my setting.  I will keep up to date with all safeguarding training and first aid.  I will adhere to my policies and liaise with parents via discussions about our day and follow the EYFS for all children in my care and additional training will be undertaken if required.

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive?

This will be made in consultation with the parents.  As a sole carer, I will also need to take into account the other children in my setting and the views of their parent(s).

After discussion with other professionals involved, it may be necessary to produce a development plan which will be discussed and worked with alongside parents.

Communication between myself and parents is vital and as well as a personal folder with observations I will request feedback from parents every 6 months into how they feel I am accommodating their child's needs and should improvement be required, these comments are also kept in the children's folder to be viewed by specialists should the need arise.

Contact Name

Melanie Atkinson

Contact Telephone

07989 859357

Contact Email

mel221295@hotmail.com

Local Offer Age Bands

Early Years (0-4 years)