Early Years Support for SEND

• All childcare providers must work within the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance (EYFS). They all MUST have a named SENCO and follow the SEN Code of Practice, just as is expected in school. 

• It is really important that SENCOs in school make contact with the SENCO’s from the Early Years settings that feed into their schools. All settings have a copy of the Early Years Transition Pack for children with SEND, if this is not passed across to school when a child starts (preferably before), the school SENCO should contact the setting and request it. 

• Any child attending an Early Years childcare provider who is on the SEND register at SEND Support and beyond should have a Transition pack sent across to school along with all other EYFS documentation. 

• It is good practice for a transition meeting to be held for all children from SEND Support and beyond. The SENCO from the setting should contact the SENCO in school to arrange a transition meeting along with the EYFS co-ordinator/teacher, parents and any other professional working with the child during the term before the child is due to start school.  This gives an ideal opportunity to share information of previous documentation/plans. 

• If a child is admitted into school without any of the above information or it is proving difficult to access the previous setting, the SENCO can contact the Early Years Access & Inclusion Team who may be able to assist.

Transition

Further information link to good practice from early years to primary can be found in the Learning Partnership transition guidance https://www.howareyoufeeling.org.uk/transition-support