Early Years SEND Support

Do you think or do you know your child has special educational needs and/or a disability? You should first speak to your health visitor or your GP for more information regarding possible diagnosis. If your child is attending a nursery or with a childminder you can speak to your child's key person about your concerns. They will arrange for you to speak to the appropriate person, usually the SENCO in each SETTING to support you further.

Support in the early years of a child’s life should ensure a smooth move into childcare and school, ensuring that families continue to receive support and services early on to help minimise difficulties in the future in line with the Special Educational Needs (SEND) Code of Practice.

The Early Years Area Senco works with nurseries/childminders and other agencies together with the Child Development Team (CDT) to provide a wide variety of support that aims to ensure all children have access to provision which is appropriate to their special educational needs or disability. All children are entitled to access quality first inclusive practice, however some children may need additional support.  Arrangements for identifying and assessing SEN in Early Years complies with the Early years: guide to the 0 to 25 SEND code of practice. 

Examples of some good practice that may be available in mainstream Early Years settings can be seen here:

• Autistic Spectrum Condition
• Cognition and Learning Needs
• Hearing Impairment
• Physical Disabilities
• Social Emotional and Mental Health
• Speech, Language and Communications
• Visual Impairment
• Good Practice for all children

The Childcare and Early Education section of this website contains information on free childcare for 2, 3 and 4 year olds as well as how to find childcare in Knowsley. If you need further help the Childcare Brokerage Service can support parents and carers to find childcare for children with a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND).