Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND)

How we support children with additional needs

Using the EYFS and Montessori curriculum we aim to provide an environment in which all children achieve the best possible education and care and become confident learners with a growing ability to communicate their own views. We aim to ensure that each child is supported in reaching their full potential and is regarded of equal worth, irrespective of age, gender, race or ability.

At Maynard Montessori Preschool we aim to provide an environment in which all children achieve the best possible education and care and become confident learners with a growing ability to communicate their own views and are supported by the preschool to reach their full potential during the Early Years.

Children and young people with SEND have unique learning needs, socially, emotionally, cognitively or physically that make it harder for them to learn than other children and young people of the same age. These children and young people may need extra or different support from that given to others.

Children and young people with SEN may need extra help because of a range of needs:-

Communicating and interacting – for example, where children and young people have speech, language and communication difficulties which make it difficult for them to make sense of language or to understand how to communicate effectively and appropriately with others.

Cognition and learning – for example, where children and young people learn at a slower pace than others their age, have difficulty in understanding parts of the curriculum, have difficulties with organisation and memory skills, or have a specific difficulty affecting one particular part of their learning performance such as in literacy or numeracy.

Social, emotional and mental health difficulties – for example, where children and young people have difficulty in managing their relationships with other people, are withdrawn, or if they behave in ways that may hinder their and other children’s learning or that have an impact on their health and wellbeing.

Sensory and/or physical needs – for example, children and young people with visual and/or hearing impairments or a physical need that means they must have additional ongoing support and equipment.

Identification and assessment
Please tell us about any additional needs as early on as you can, preferably when your child is registered with the Preschool, so that we can plan appropriate support in advance. Sometimes a child’s needs are not identified until they have started in Preschool. Any concerns raised by staff are promptly shared with the SENCO who may then carry out further observations and assessments. At this point support will be discussed with parents/carers.