West Sussex County Council launched the ‘Local Offer’ as part of reforms introduced by the Children and Families Act which came into force on 1 September 2014. The Local Offer ensures that families and carers can easily find out what information and services are available in their local area for children who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities. 

Every child is allocated a keyworker at Little Explorers who carries out observations linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) ages and stages of development. These observations will help identify a child’s needs which will then be discussed with Tracy Howman, the settings Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and yourself and together we will plan how to support your child’s learning and development. Our SENCO will offer advice to you and all staff within the setting and will liaise with other professionals to seek advice and support in identifying individual needs with your permission if required. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s development, please speak with your child’s keyworker or the settings SENCO.

On our admission form you will be asked to specify any educational or disability needs you know your child has. This gives us the opportunity to discuss these with you before your child starts at Little Explorers. Before starting you will be asked to complete a ‘Child Profile’ form where you can detail anything you feel will help us care for your child. We will work with you, your child and the settings SENCO to set up an Individual Educational Plan (IEP). Observations, assessments and evaluations will contribute to your child’s IEP and your child’s keyworker will oversee the next steps. We will work together with you to review the IEP, plan new ones and give you ideas to use at home to support your child. With your permission, we will contact outside agencies, if required, for advice or to make referrals for any concerns. 

Your child’s keyworker and SENCO will work together to ensure the environment, activities and routines at Little Explorers support your child’s needs. They will communicate with all staff to provide consistency and understanding within the setting.

Your child’s keyworker is always available to discuss your child’s progress and development. Your child is regularly monitored and all observations and assessments provide the basis for parent consultations (Learning Journal Meetings) throughout the year. We carry out two main assessments at Little Explorers. The ‘two year progress check’ is a short written summary of a child’s development between the ages of two and three. The ‘EYFS profile’ (known as Learning Journals at the setting) summarises and describes a child’s attainment whilst they are with us at Little Explorers and is continued at school until the end of reception year. We welcome parent helpers during sessions where you can see how your child is developing in the setting. Detailed newsletters are produced once a term with other information sent to parents/carers throughout the term. The Little Explorers ‘Facebook’ page is updated daily with information and photographs of what has been happening during each session and you are reminded of topics at the start of each week.

Little Explorers offer visits for you and your child to enable them to become familiarised with both the setting and the staff. This is an excellent opportunity for you to discuss any concerns or needs with the team. We follow the safeguarding, welfare and learning and development requirements of the EYFS framework. These policies and procedures are available to view at each session at the setting. We will make reasonable adjustments to promote equality of opportunity for all children and will take steps to ensure that all children with medical conditions get the support required to meet their needs. Risk assessments are carried out daily and are reviewed regularly. Children are registered in and out of the setting and are only permitted to leave with a named person who is known to staff (unless by prior arrangement or in an emergency, in which case a ‘password system’ is used)

We work with other professionals as required by individual children and encourage these professionals to visit the child at the setting. Parental permission is sought before referrals are made. There are several ‘Children and Family Centres’ which offer drop-in sessions for parents/carers. Staff at little Explorers are happy to share further information. Staff training can be viewed at the setting and is constantly updated.

Five members of staff at Little Explorers hold Level 3 qualifications in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. As well as being parents themselves they have years of experience of providing early years care and education. Six members of staff hold paediatric first aid certificates and all staff hold at least a Level 2 qualification in Child Protection. The manager at Little Explorers holds a certificate in Further Child Protection and a Level 3 award in Special Educational Needs. All staff update and renew their training and relay new information to the rest of the team. The Family Information Service at WSCC also offers an array of information and training for providers. Some staff are currently undertaking courses for 'Challenging Behaviour' and 'Understanding Autism'

All children are included in activities and trips regardless of needs. Parents are informed of trips and risk assessments are completed in advance. Volunteers are requested to assist and all staff are made aware of their individual duties and responsibilities. There will always be a paediatric first aid trained staff member present and a first aid box is always taken. The manager or supervisor will also carry a mobile phone, register and children’s contact details.

Entrances to both Little Explorers 1 and 2 have a ramp for wheelchair access as well as wheelchair accessible toilets. There is ramp access to the outdoor play area from Explorers 1 and flat access from Explorers 2. Posters and photographs of toys and activities can be used to help children communicate and there are disabled parking spaces available on site. 

We offer settling in sessions where you can bring your child to play before they start at Little Explorers so that they can become familiar with the setting and staff. We have many strategies to help your child settle and understand completely that each child is an individual. With your permission, Learning Journals can be passed onto new early years settings. When transitioning to school your child will either be taken to their new school to meet their teacher or teachers will visit the setting. Not only is this an opportunity for the teachers to meet and speak with the children, it is also a chance for them to talk with your child’s keyworker.

We carefully assess, monitor and review each individual’s needs. Resources are then allocated allowing all children full access to activities and equipment. If possible, special equipment or one-to-one support may be provided for your child. We would also ensure that staff attend any specific training as necessary.

Your child’s keyworker will carry out regular observations linked to the EYFS ages and stages of development. Together with you and the SENCO, the setting will identify what support is required and, if necessary, extra support will be put in place. An IEP will be set up by the keyworker, the SENCO and yourself and the SENCO will give advice about meeting your child’s needs within the setting. Reports from other professionals that may be working with your child will be used to plan support within the setting. Your child’s keyworker will keep all staff up to date with children’s needs during the session and all staff have a responsibility to make written observations during the session. This is to ensure that all staff working with your child knows your child’s strengths and needs and how to support them.

We welcome parent helpers/volunteers at Little Explorers where you can come into the setting to play, read to the children or demonstrate a skill you have, eg playing an instrument, and we welcome any comments or suggestions.

More detailed information is available in our ‘Policies and Procedures’ folders located in both settings. Local Children and Family Centres and the WSCC Family Information Service can provide help with forms, computer/internet access and guidance on when and how to access support and funding. If you would like to discuss your child prior to starting at Little Explorers please contact Tracy Howman on 07774909369 or email tjh2512@gmail.com 

  

Angmering 01903 276894

Bognor 01903 642924

Durrington 01903 276888

East Preston 01903 270470

Littlehampton 01903 276840

01243 777807

family.info.service@westsussex.gov.uk