What can Pandamonium Offer your child?
Pandamonium is an inclusive pre-school who aim to include and provide for children aged 2-12 of all abilities and backgrounds. Pandamonium offers 2, 3 and 4 year old funding and extra hours being open 8-5.30 Monday to Friday. We have a large hall with an eating area, creative room, cloak room, kitchen and a secure garden at the rear of the building. We have a car park on site. We also have a gardening area for children to access in small groups with a member of staff. There are steps to the eating area and garden however a ramp is available if needed. All other areas are one level and all furniture is moveable if needed. All activities are planned and implemented to involve all children and adapted to cater for all to join in. All toys are suitable for children of all abilities and can be adapted to suit children’s needs. We have had experience with children who are blind, have medical conditions, allergies, cerebral palsy, Autism and anxieties.
How does Pandamonium know if a child needs extra support?
All Pandamonium staff have allocated Key children who they have the responsibility of caring for and observing on a daily basis. The key person will be responsible for regular observations and assessments that link to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The Key person will also be responsible to regularly check where children are tracking to ensure they are developing well and doing parent consultations where all assessments are shared with the parents who are encouraged to add their comments. Termley reviews and two year checks will be completed termley with a space for child and parent comments. This is to keep track on children’s development at preschool and at home and to gage next steps at preschool and at home.
Staff are responsible for raising any concerns about their children in their care developmentally. If a parent has any concerns about their child's development this information should be shared with the key person. Pandamonium can make relevant referrals to other professionals with the parents consent, to aid a child’s development.
Children with English as an additional language will need extra support in preschool and parents are asked to support the setting with some home language words and literacy to help their child settle into preschool.
What if Pandamonium recognises a child may have SEN?
If the key person has identified a possible individual need, this will be discussed with the parents and together we can plan how best to support the child. The nursery SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator) may be asked for advice in order to support the key person and your child. Pandamonium will follow the SEN code of practice and their SEN policy which can be shown on request. The SENCO may also liaise with other professionals, with your permission, such as the Early Years Team, the Speech and Language Therapist, the Children's Centre or the Health Visitor. This advice might involve meetings and reports in order to enable the key person to plan for the individual needs of your child.
How will Pandamonium Staff support my child?
We offer a settling in session and home visit for all our SEN children. At this time you will meet with your child's key person and spend time sharing information on an ‘All about me’ form in order for us to provide support. Your key person will be responsible for the day to day care of your child and for the observations and assessments that help to inform us of your child's current stage of development and of their next steps in learning. You are able to contribute to these recordings so that we have a complete record of your child. Your child's development will be regularly evaluated and the preschool SENCO may be asked for advice if this is felt necessary in order to plan appropriately for your child's individual needs. As parents, you will always be included in planning for your child's needs. A Special Educational Needs plan will be drawn up with appropriate targets to be worked on during their time at preschool to help your child to develop at their rate. The targets will be smart and will work on the areas that your child is finding difficult. We have a work station where we take children to work on their plans. All plans will be evaluated and reviewed with parents every 6-8 weeks. After two rounds of plans a discussion is had to see whether your child needs a referral to other professionals in which case preschool will advise on how this can be done. A Team around the child meeting may be called to discuss your childs needs with other professionals that may be involved. Evidence will be collated if needed for a referral for an Educational, Health and Care Plan. If accepted, 0-25’s team will become involved with the family. If support is granted within preschool, Pandamonium will appoint a member of staff to work 1-1 with your child to aid their development.
How will Pandamonium Staff include parents/carers in the childs education and curriculum?
Parent’s communication is valued and the key person will work together with the parents to ensure that every child’s learning is supported. The parents are encouraged to work together with the key person completing observations and activities from home to keep them informed of new interests so that this can be incorporated in the activities that are planned for that child. We also encourage parents to add to their children’s learning journeys through the online system orbit by uploading achievements and photos from home. Notice boards in preschool will also provide parents with update information.
What specialist services and expertise are available or accessed at Pandamonium?
All staff aim to be qualified to the equivalent of Level 3 in Childcare and Education. All staff have access to a variety of training linked to child development and may have experience of specialist training such as Makaton (we are an approved Makaton friendly pre-school), SENCO training, Paediatric First Aid, speech and language and some may have had training in caring for children with specific medical or dietary needs. We work closely with the Local Authority, Children's centres and with other local external agencies such as Speech and Language and can signpost parents or make a referral with your permission. The nursery has policies with regard to equality and diversity and behaviour management and staff attend relevant training. Pandamonium has access to the VLE which is a learning environment linked to South Glos council to help us with any queries and paperwork we may need. All referrals and worries about our children, will be made through the Access and Response Team in South Glos. They will put our referrals into the correct place.
How does Pandamonium Help with transitions?
Transitions are a key time for any child. The key person ensures that these transitions are well planned and supported. When a child is ready to transition to School the new teachers will be invited into preschool to meet the key person and all relevant transition supporting documents are completed and relayed to the School to ensure a smooth transition takes place for all children. Other professionals involved are also invited to this meeting so the school receives all points of view. A plan will be made to how your child will best settle into school whether being more visits or more regular settling in days having the same times. Teachers are also invited into preschool to meet the child and play. Pandamonium offer to join the child at school if needed.
Who can we contact for further support and information?
South Glos
Speech and Language
Occupational Therapist
Preschool Senco
Educational Psychologist
Access and Response Team
Books/Internet
Childrens Centres
GP
Other Parents
Health Visitor
Paediatrician