We believe that all children at some stage will have a special need (this does not mean that all children will have a problem).

Children develop at different rates and therefore have different needs. This is why we provide an extensive range of activities, including ‘no fail activities’, such as sand play, water play and play dough activities.

We will not discriminate between one child’s ability and another. However some situations may not be suitable for a particular child, (e.g. baking if the child is allergic to egg) in which case we will negotiate with the parent to reach a satisfactory arrangement.

There will be a small number of children in the foundation stage who have special educational needs or disabilities which will require specific provisions such as specialist teaching, adapted equipment or support from an adult, for particular activities. ‘Staff follow the guidelines laid down in the Dfee department of education codes of practice handbook, 1994 Code of Practice for the Identification and Assessment of Children with Special Educational Needs.’

All children have needs. They need a safe secure environment in which to live and play. They need interaction with known and trusted adults through which they can develop a framework for their own attitudes and behaviours.

Our pre-school aims to have regard to the DfES SEN Code of Practice and also to the guidelines supplied to private and voluntary providers of pre-school education. We aim to provide a welcome, and appropriate learning opportunity, for all children.