The local offer is to improve the choice for families by providing information about the services available for young children who have special educational needs and/or disbilities (SEND).

All early years settings in Essex are expected to identify and support children with special educational needs to enable them to make the best possible progress. Early years settings are supported by the Local authority to be as inclusive as possible so that the needs of young children with SEND are met.

At Wind in the willows we gather information from the parents/guardians upon registration and ask for you to complete an 'All About Me' booklet. We invite children and parents to visit our setting before the child's first day and they would be introduced to their key person.

Throughout your child's learning journey with us, they will be following the EYFS framework and observed regularly. Through observing a child we would identify concerns on areas where a child may need support. The Key person would then alongside the SENCO and any other agencies which may already be involved, begin to put strategies in place to help support the child in their development. The strategies would also include the child's likes and dislikes, favourite toys and games.

Parents are included throughout the stages of planning for their child and the area senco would be informed.

Wind in the willows has an open door policy and the child's key person is available to discuss your child's progress and development. We provide home diaries and regularly monitor the child's assessments/observations to provide the basis for our parent consultations throughout the year.

We regularly review outdoor activities, including trips within the local community so that every child has the opportunity to participate in a wide range of experiences.Parents are informed of the trip details and a risk assessment is completed beforehand.

Our setting is wheelchair accessible, a disabled toilet and 2 disbaled parking spaces outside within the school car park.

We are able to access resources from the Essex resource centre via the Area SENCO or specialised teachers.

The owner of Wind in the willows is Jackie West and she works closely with all the staff members who have years of experience supporting children with additional needs and providing one to one support.

The local children's centre's have family link workers who can support families with all the processes at home and within the setting. They can help with forms, computer/internet access and guidance on when to access support and funding.

If you would like to discuss your child prior to starting at the setting then please feel free to contact Jackie West on 07980 614191 or email; windinthewillowsnursery@yahoo.co.uk