At Buttsbury Pre-school Billericay, we are dedicated to supporting all children, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in line with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (2015).

As one of the best pre-schools in Billericay, we understand the importance of early intervention and collaboration with families, and we encourage you to talk to us if you suspect your child may have SEND needs.

If you have concerns, please reach out to your child's key person, our managers, or our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) as soon as possible. It’s also helpful to include any details regarding your child's needs on their registration form at Buttsbury Pre-school Billericay.

Upon successful application to the pre-school, families will have the opportunity to visit our setting and meet their key person, fostering a strong home-school connection from the start.

Our early years educators are committed to closely observing and regularly discussing your child's progress with you. Should any concerns arise, we will guide you in accessing additional support from external agencies that specialise in SEND support. Our team values collaboration and will work together with families, other educational settings, and outside professionals to share information and develop effective strategies for your child's development at Buttsbury Pre-school.

Here are some of the ways we provide support for children with SEND at our outstanding pre-school in Billericay:

Visual Aids

Each staff member is equipped with a lanyard that contains visual tools designed to facilitate communication, help explore feelings and address any unwanted behaviour. These visual aids provide a valuable resource for ensuring that all children can express themselves and understand their emotions at our Billericay pre-school. If parents are interested, we are happy to provide similar tools for their use at home.

Sensory Room

We provide regular access to our Sensory Room for all children. This specially designed space includes a bubble tube, fibre-optic lighting, touch wall board, projectors, vibrating bench, disco ball, trampoline, a variety of fidget toys, and more to create a calming environment where children can take a break and regulate their emotions at our outstanding pre-school in Billericay.

Makaton

Every member of our staff team has completed Level One Makaton training, allowing us to enhance communication and support through non-verbal methods. This training equips us to use basic Makaton signing, symbols, and visual aids effectively in our daily interactions with all children, creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for everyone at Buttsbury Pre-school Billericay.

Resources for SEND families:

• Essex Local Offer – Essex Local Offer provides information about education, health, and care services and promotes leisure activities and support groups in the local area. For further information, please visit: https://send.essex.gov.uk/