Early Years Frequently Asked Questions

Most children start nursery between the ages of 2 and 3. 

These are all signs that your child is ready to start nursery as they are beginning to think more for themselves.  From an academic point of view, sending your child to nursery at this age could benefit their long term academic development as they will be able to build on these core skills.

If your child is still nervous about going to nursery at this age, then it’s perfectly normal. Consider giving them a toy from home which they can take to nursery such as a teddy bear or comfort blanket. This will make the nursery environment feel more familiar, and will make them feel more relaxed.  You can speak to your child's key person to discuss a settling in support package, this might include settling in sessions which are gradually increased over time, they can also create a picture book containing pictures of the nursery and key members of staff.  

The reason lots of parents decide to send their child to nursery at the age of 3, is to help them get into a routine. When they start reception a year later, children will need to get used to being away from their parents for extended periods of time.

Therefore, sending them to nursery before school age will facilitate a smooth transition into primary school, and hopefully make the process less stressful.

By sending your child to nursery before they start primary school, it helps them settle into a better routine.  It helps your child to get used to waking up at a fixed time and getting ready for nursery and helps them to develop social skills and build relationships with new people. 

If gives your child a sense of structure as there will be different times for things such as meals, naps, indoor, and outdoor activities.  The school environment is very similar to this as there will be different times for certain lessons and activities which children will need to adapt to.

It also prepares children for separation anxiety, as if they’ve never been apart from you for a long period of time, they might find it challenging when they first start school. The school day usually falls between 9am-3pm which can feel very long if your child has never been to nursery before.  

As such, sending your child to nursery before they start school is very beneficial, even if it is only for a year prior.  

No, you don't have to.  Children are not of statutory school age until the term after their fifth birthday. However, establishing regular routines for your children at an early age is extremely important. It will benefit both you and your children as they progress through their school life, and limit the  chances of poor attendance, which will have a negative effect on their enjoyment and achievement

Once your child turns three, their free education can start – but it’s not compulsory yet so you don’t have to take up the offer.

All three-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours a week of education 38 weeks a year with an additional 15 hours available for some families who meet the criteria.  You can read about Early Years funding here 

Yes, Childminders, day nurseries, pre-schools and nursery classes must all be registered with Ofsted (or with a childminder agency)

They must also follow the early years foundation stage framework and deliver the early years foundation stage curriculum.

You could check the OFSTED report for each place you visit 

SEND code of practice says:-

Parents know their children best and it is important that all practitioners listen and understand when parents express concerns about their child’s development.

 

The Code makes clear that ‘parents’ early observations of their child are crucial.’
(SEND Code of Practice, paragraphs 5.5 and 5.14)

You don’t have to wait for an assessment to share what you know about your child’s difficulties and what support helps best. A diagnosis of a medical condition alone will not make any difference to the support a setting will offer – all support is led by a child’s individual needs.

An assessment report may however clarify a child’s needs, but your knowledge will always be key.

Read more on Early Years Support

When you have made a shortlist of early years providers, it’s a good idea to visit and talk to the SENCo which stands for special educational needs coordinator.

All maintained nursery schools must have one and other providers are expected to identify a SENCo. Their role includes making sure that all the early years staff understand their responsibilities to children with SEN and making sure that parents are closely involved.

Childminders are encouraged to identify a person to act as a SENCo. Childminders who are registered with a childminder agency or who are part of a network may wish to share the role between them.

Remember you are an expert on your child!

You’ve been making adjustments to support your child since their birth.  You can think about:-

• How do you get your child’s attention?
• How do you help your child to re-focus on something, if they have lost attention?
• How do you support your child to prepare for something new or different or a change to the usual routine?

And don’t forget to share what the best ways are to help your child to calm down if they are upset

Points to consider to share on your visit:-

• What your child enjoys and their strengths
• What they find difficult and what you do at home, and when you are out, which helps with these difficulties
• The best way to communicate with your child - If your child has little language, do you use any visuals or signs at home like PECS or Makaton? Or maybe you use a string of photos to explain a bedtime routine?
• Look around the setting when you visit and ask about the activities children routinely do.
• Do you anticipate any difficulties for your child in doing a particular activity or accessing a particular space?
• What might help your child to take part?
• Ask the SENCo if they have experience of supporting children who present in a similar way to your child.
• What kind of support did they find worked well?
• Can the setting show you examples of adjustments being made to support other children with additional needs?

If a child may have SEN which may need support which goes beyond the resources available to an early years setting for SEN support, the parent/carer or the setting could request an EHC needs assessment.  An EHC needs assessment is the first step towards getting an Education, Health and Care (or EHC) plan

An EHC Needs Assessment helps identify the education, health and care needs which are making it difficult for a child to learn and to access learning. They also identify the support which may be required to meet those needs.

Before you decide to make an application for an EHC Needs Assessment, it is advisable to speak to the early years setting to check if they are utilising their resources, implementing effective One Planning and involving local professionals, such as Inclusion Partners for specialist advice.  An Inclusion Partner can help give the setting expert advice on interventions and preventative measures to meet children and young people's needs without needing resource to the statutory system.

You can read more about Early Years Support and EHC Needs Assessments