How we support providers
The Area SENCO service supports early years providers in carrying out their duties as outlined in the SEND Code of Practice and the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework.
Early years providers including:
- preschools
- day nurseries
- maintained nursery classes
- and childminders
Must have arrangements in place to identify and support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and must promote equality of opportunity for children in their care.
Reception year
The Area SENCO plays an important part in planning for children with SEND to transfer between early years provision and schools. As part of this transition support, the Area SENCO service extends to support within the Reception year.
First half of reception year (until February half term)
Schools can request support from the Area SENCO team for specific children, previously known to the Area SENCO service.
Once triaged, an Area SENCO will be allocated to support the school with a focus on transition. Support offered will be dependent on the school’s needs as well as the needs of the identified child, and will be moderated by Senior Area SENCO.
Schools are expected to follow the graduated approach throughout the process and will need to supply supporting evidence, which includes clear evidence that they have:
- supported the transition from the child’s Early Years provider
- put into place strategies from transition meetings
- spoken again with the EY provider upon new concerns (since child has started at school)
You will need to send copies of graduated response evidence to:
Summer Term (after school placements have been announced)
Schools will be provided with the details of children who are due to start at their school, that includes which:
- level of support the child has received (Pre-Core, Core, or Core Plus)
- Area SENCO has supported the provider
- Tier funding level the child has received, if applicable
Schools will also be able to:
- contact Area SENCOs directly to request information about a child who is due to attend the school
- invite Area SENCOs to transition meetings for individual children as part of their transition arrangements
School staff are able to access Dingley’s Promise training.