Our nursery is in the grounds of Watcombe Primary School, on Moor Lane. It provides an attractive and safe environment which provides varied and interesting activities that meet the child’s individual needs.
We believe in the importance of parental involvement, which is valued and recognised within the nursery. We offer home visits, free settling in sessions, and we have a designated key worker system. We hold open evenings/days, social events and ‘keep in touch days’ for children that are only doing term times.
We have a very large, purpose built garden, which is safe and secure, and which is accessed all year round.
As well as paid sessions we also offer 15 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year old (also the extra 15 hours for those who meat certain criteria) and funded childcare for 2 year olds under the local scheme.
Qualification and Training: A high level of qualified staff, with most being Level 3 or higher. The majority of our staff are trained in Paediatric First Aid.
Show-arounds are available daily at 10.00 and at 14.00, by appointment only.
Please have a look at our website for more details.
Detai : lsTo book a place there is a deposit of £100, and a registration fee of £40 to pay. This does not include funded children.
Childcare Information
Vacancies
Immediate vacancies : Yes
Details : Various sessions available Please call for more information
Date updated : 13/03/2013
Funded Places
3 & 4 year old funding : Yes
2 year old funding : Yes
3 & 4 year old 30 Hour funding : Yes
Opening Times & Facilities
Opening Times
Day
Opening Time
Closing Time
Monday
07:30:00
18:00:00
Tuesday
07:30:00
18:00:00
Wednesday
07:30:00
18:00:00
Thursday
07:30:00
18:00:00
Friday
07:30:00
18:00:00
Facilities : Refreshments Meals cooked on premises Ride-ons Role play dressing up Sandpitsand play Messy Play Area Out-door Play Outdoor Playspace Both indoor and outdoor activities Quiet Room Kitchen Facilities Reading Baby Facilities Visit & Outings Disabled Access Walks to local park etc Sleeping Area Water play Garden
A printable version of this form is available in the downloads section.
What special education provision is available at our setting?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we;
Have staff that have gone through training for Makaton signing and we use it regularly in everyday situations, Thrive (which is the approach we take as a whole setting), and other communication and language courses.
We incorporate Makaton signing within our daily routine including during nursery rhymes and meal times; we also provide signage around the setting using Makaton signs and symbols.
We adopt the THRIVE approach which supports the child’s emotional development relating to managing their own behaviour; validating their feelings and helping them to understand their emotions and forming positive relationships with adults and peers.
We have two trained ECAT specialists whom monitor and support all children in communication, language and literacy.
We have experience in supporting children with physical, medical and developmental needs.
We have good relationships with Speech and Language therapists, Health visitors, Social workers, portage workers and Early Years Advisory Support.
What criteria must be satisfied before children and young people can access this provision/service?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we;
Follow the guidance as laid out in the Equalities Act 2010, we are an inclusive provider and will consider any child to attend the setting aged 0-8 years whose parent/ carer wish them to access our provision.
We welcome all children to our setting regardless of any special educational needs.
We will discuss with parents/ carers the needs of their child and work with other professionals to ensure the right support is provided for their child.
We will strive to meet the child’s needs, with regards to training and resources to enable the child to access our provision.
How do we identify the particular special educational needs of a child or young person?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we identify the particular special educational need of a child or young person by;
Following the guidance set out in the SEND Code of Practice 2014; taking on the graduated approach.
For each child starting at the setting the parent/ carer fills in a form with as much detail about the child as possible, if they have attended another setting we seek to get a transition document and any other relevant information from them, with parent/ carer permission we can contact other professionals who may already be involved with that child.
Once the child is at our setting we will continually assess and observe their progress which will be discussed with parents/ carers and other professionals if needed.
Information with the parent/ carer is regularly discussed with regards to appropriate interventions, such as Individual Learning and Development Plans (ILDP) or other specialists and agencies to establish the best way to support their child.
How do we consult with parents and/or children and young people about their needs?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we consult with parents and children about their needs and find out about what we think parents need help with by;
Inviting families to come and look around the setting.
Offering home visits.
Providing settling in sessions initially with the parent there then gradually taking them out of the environment.
Giving parents/ carers registration form, all about me forms and asking for photos and other interests to be put into learning journey.
Discussing with parents/ carers about their child’s needs and how they can be supported; if they do have other professionals involved we aim to arrange a meeting with them, the parents/ carers and the child’s key worker and senior member of staff.
On a daily basis we exchange views with parents/ carers with regards to how their child has been in that session, we keep observations and assessment of development using our online tool called Tapestry and we hold termly parents evenings which provide and opportunity to discuss their development and the support we have in place to support their needs and whether parents are happy with this.
What is our approach to teaching children and young people with special educational needs?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery our approach to teaching children and young people with special educational needs is;
To follow our equality, diversion and inclusion policy.
To treat all children equally, however where a special educational need has been identified the resources and environment are adapted accordingly to meet that child’s needs.
Following advice from other professionals involved we create an ILDP which identifies specific activities and targets for that child, thee are reviewed every 6 weeks and often involve the key worker, parents/ carers, SENco, Early Years Advisors and specialists.
How can we adapt our curriculum for children and young people with special educational needs?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we adapt our curriculum for children or young people with special educational needs by;
Adapting activities to ensure all children can access them.
Following a child’s ILDP, these may be small targets arranged by parents/ carers and other professionals which may not necessarily directly link to the EYFS.
How will we ensure we get the services, provision and equipment that children and young people need?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we will ensure we get the services, provision and equipment children need by;
Calling on the support of Torbay Early Years Advisory Teacher and other professionals throughout Torbay for expert guidance and specialist equipment.
We will make every effort we can to access resources and facilities to meet the individual needs of a child, however there may be occasions where we cannot meet the child’s needs.
How is this provision funded?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery this provision is funded by;
We are registered to accept National Education Grant (NEG) funding for 2-5 year olds which is paid via the local authority which entitles parents to 15 funded hours of childcare a week.
If it is identified that extra additional support is required beyond what we can provide as part of our normal ratios we can apply for additional funding from the local authority, e.g.; for 1:1 support.
What additional learning support is available for children and young people with special educational needs and how do they access it?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we can provide children and young people with special educational needs with additional learning support from other professionals such as
Speech and Language Specialists
Health Visitors and Social Workers
Action for Children
Support Groups
Early Years Advisory Support
Portage
We will either refer a child to receive this additional support or sign post and encourage parents/ carers to them.
How do we support and improve the emotional and social development of children and young people with special educational needs?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we support and improve the emotional and social development of children and young people with special educational needs by;
Adopting the THRIVE approach.
Being inclusive practitioners within the setting; knowing that every child matters and it is important to make them feel valued.
Having a positive approach to behaviour management; we focus and praise good behaviour.
How do we support children and young people with special educational needs moving between phases of education and preparing for adulthood?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we support children and young people with special educational needs through transitions by;
Arranging meetings with parents, teachers, and other professionals involved with that child and providing relevant documentation such as ILDP’s, transition documents, assessment summaries.
Allowing future teachers to come and visit the child in our setting.
Ensuring parents/ carers are fully informed with how the transition will happen and what support we will give to help them.
What other support is available for children and young people with special educational needs and how can they access it?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we;
Direct parents/ carers toward other support such as the surestart groups which we are in the same building as.
Provide written information such as leaflets.
Recommending websites that may be of relevance for them to view.
What extra-curricular activities are available for children and young people with special educational needs?
Sign posting through individual need
How do we assess and review progress towards agreed outcomes, and how are parents, children and young people involved in this process?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we assess and review progress towards agreed outcomes by;
Sharing “My Learning and Development” book or “Developmental Journal” with parents at parents’ evening and providing a written assessment summary
Verbally discussing on a daily basis if their child has achieved something they hadn’t done before.
If the child has an ILDP this is reviewed every 6 weeks with parents/ carers, key worker, other specialists who may be involved such as portage worker.
How do we assess the effectiveness of our special needs provision and how are parents, children and young people involved in this assessment?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we assess the effectiveness of our special needs provision by;
Being reflective on our practice; we take part in Bristol Standards
We annually send out a questionnaire to all parents for their feedback in all areas of the setting and publish the results of these.
We provide a parent/ carer area with the opportunity to give us feedback on a regular basis.
The SENco attends regular SENco forums to keep up to date with any changes and new developments.
We have links with 2 specialist schools and invite child-minders into our setting; these provide opportunities to share good practice.
How do we ensure that teaching staff and other staff have the expertise needed to support children and young people with special educational needs?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we ensure that teaching staff and other staff have the expertise needed to support children and young people with special educational needs by;
Attending relevant training such as Makaton, SENCO forums, New SENCO training
In March 2015 we achieved our “Makaton Friendly” award In March 2015; we have trained Makaton staff and continuously have in house training to encourage staff to continue to use Makaton with all the children. We have vast Makaton signage/ picture cards to support communication with our children and are continuing to make all parts of the nursery accessible to all children and adults.
Reflecting upon skills during regular supervisions to identify if further training is needed
How do we keep parents informed where children and young people have special educational provision but do not have an Education Health and Care Plan?
At Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery we keep parents informed where children and young people have special educational provision but do not have an Education Health and Care Plan by;
Keeping parents informed on their child’s progress through My Learning and Development book, Learning Journeys and daily verbal exchanges.
If we had a concern with a child a meeting would be arranged with the parent or carer to discuss it; this would be done once we had gained some evidence to support the concern e.g. observations, My Learning and Development book.
How can parents, children and young people make a complaint about our provision?
If a parent, child or young person would like to make a complaint about our provision we;
Always try to resolve any issues before they get to the stage of complaint, we encourage parents to discuss any concerns they have with us
Provide opportunities for them to give us feedback through questionnaires/ comments box
Direct them to our complaints policy and procedure
Direct them to our Ofsted Parent Poster with Ofsted’s telephone number
How can parents, children and young people get more information about the setting?
