Local Offer for Children with Special Educational Needs and/ or Disabilities (SEND)
(accessible ONLY in England)
Horsham Montessori Pre School values the abilities and achievements of individual children, and is committed to providing each child with the best possible environment for learning and development.
How will Horsham Montessori know if a child needs extra support?
When a new child starts at Horsham Montessori they are assigned to a key person at the setting. This key person observes the child regularly, planning carefully to suit each child's individual needs and interests. The key person completes regular assessments on every child to identify any support that may be required and works alongside the settings' SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator).
Observations are shared with the family who are encouraged to add their own observations and comments, implementing a joint approach.
How will the staff support the child?
The SENCO has been trained through West Sussex and Horsham Montessori to support the children, key person and families to ensure that the children's individual needs are met.
If necessary the SENCO will liaise with other professionals (with the parent's consent) such as the local Early Years Advisor, Speech and Language Therapists and Health Visitors to gain further advice in supporting each individual child. The SENCO and the key person will work together to ensure that these targets and plans are implemented.
Plans and strategies are reviewed by the team regularly and include the parents to ensure that they are kept up to date.
How are parents / carers included in the child’s education and curriculum?
Parental partnership is considered paramount at Horsham Montessori. The child's key person will work closely alongside the family to ensure every child's learning is supported.
When the child first joins, the senior team work closely with the family to settle the child into the setting. The family are given an 'All About Me' book to fill in and bring to the settling in sessions. This book helps us understand the child's individual needs, interests, routines and any concerns the family may have and is accessible to all staff.
The team communicate with the parents throughout the settling in process with updates and images. The parents are encouraged to work together with the key person completing observations at both the setting and the home through our online observation system My Montessori Child (MMC).
Parents are invited to attend termly meetings to review their child's progress and development. We have an 'open door' policy at the setting and encourage parents to have a 'chat' with us whenever they need. We call these more casual conversations a 'Tea and chat'.
What specialist service and expertise are available or accessed by the setting?
We have staff members who use and promote the use of Makaton. All staff undertake numerous training courses throughout their time here at the setting. The SENCO attends regular Network Meetings, training courses. We discuss the children with additional needs at staff meetings and discuss how we can all support the children.
How accessible are the environments?
A ramp provides access into the entrance area of the setting to ensure the site is accessible to all. Our building is located entirely on ground level with an accessible toilet. We accommodate children/carers/parents who have English as an additional language (EAL) by assisting them with filling in application forms and if necessary we will find someone who can translate for us. As a setting, we are happy to discuss individual access requirements. Specific health and medical requirements will be discussed on an individual basis. Parents are welcome to enquire or visit at any time to discuss any concerns.
Helping with transitions
When your child is ready to move on to school or a new setting we forward their learning journal and telephone or visit the settings to ensure there is a clear handover. We will have close contact with the school and the schools SENCO both inviting them to the setting and visiting the school.
Contact for further information
Please feel free to contact by email: enquiries.horshammontessori@gmail.com or telephone: 01403 750504 or visit our website: www.montessori-uk.co.uk. Please mention the needs of your child upon making contact so we can help and support you. If you have any specific concerns please ask to speak to the manager.
