Early Years
Information and advice to support children with special educational needs and disabilities aged 0-5.
Section 23 Notification
Section 23 notifications to be completed by health professionals only. Compliance with the legal duty to notify City of Doncaster Council so that services can work together to ensure a child's Special Educational Needs are met.
SECTION 23 REFERRAL FORMOn this page, you can find:
Early Years Inclusion Team
About the Team
The Early Years Inclusion Team (EYIT) has ambitious and high aspirations for early years children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Our comprehensive offer ensures the right support is in place at the right time for every child within Doncaster.
The Early Years Inclusion Team consists of the following roles:
- Early Years Inclusion Officers (EYIOs)
- Area Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs)
- Area Special Educational Needs Development Officers (SENDCOs)
- Portage Home Visitors
- Safeguarding Officers
- Childminder Support Officer
The team work within designated locality areas across the borough.
Contact Details
- Early Years Inclusion Team Contact Details - January 2024
- Download (1.17MB - DOCX)
Telephone: 01302 862103
Support
- We support early years providers (private, maintained nurseries, childminders and playgroups) to raise quality and attainment, particularly for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. We want children to thrive and offer advice and support in narrowing the gaps in their learning and development, consequently improving outcomes. We work with early years providers to prepare and support children in their transition within the next step of their education.
- Where EYIT support is requested, we will work with settings to ensure that effective special educational provision is in place through the use of the graduated approach. We will advise and support settings on identifying different types and levels of need within the Continuum of Need for SEN through assessment of the impact on learning and/or barriers to learning. We will develop understanding of adult facilitated learning to ensure that children are able to access a full and varied curriculum, taking into account their individual and specific needs and learning styles.
- The Early Years Inclusion Team adhere to the SEND Code of Practice (2015). We support with embedding the graduated approach and everything relating to SEND and inclusive practice within early years. This can be in the form of information, practical support, advice, guidance, requests documentation and links.
Expectations
- All childcare providers within Doncaster are required to offer an inclusive environment and to respond to children’s individual needs, having an identified Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) or Inclusion Coordinator is one aspect of this. It is their responsibility to coordinate support for children with SEND in their setting and to liaise with other professionals to ensure that all the needs of the child/children are planned for in advance.
Forms
- ParentGuardian Consent form
- Download (36KB - DOCX)
- Sept 2023 Early Years Request form with parental consent (to request EYIT, EIA, continuation of EIA, Portage and a placement at Seedlings).
- Download (104KB - DOCX)
Guidance and Information
- FS1 Funding Guidance for children with SEND 0-4 years
- Download (33KB - DOCX)
- 23-24 Early Years Support Request Information
- Download (66KB - DOCX)
- FAQ transition SEND
- Download (213KB - PDF)
- SENCO calendar (1)
- Download (59KB - DOCX)
Templates
- Transition Plan template
- Download (33KB - DOCX)
- Provision Map template
- Download (29KB - DOCX)
- Reflective Inclusion Audit template
- Download (38KB - DOCX)
- Personalised Learning Plan template
- Download (12KB - DOCX)
- September 2023 Person Centred SEN support Plan template
- Download (160KB - DOCX)
Personalised Learning Plan Progress Descriptors
In light of the EYFS reforms, as an authority we are changing how we measure children's achievements. Where children have been awarded and are in receipt of Early Intervention Allowance (EIA), providers are required to measure the outcomes of the children’s Personalised Learning Plans. Please see the below descriptor for further information. If you have any queries please contact your Area SENCO.
- PLP progress descriptors template
- Download (15KB - DOCX)
- Learning outcomes template
- Download (15KB - XLSX)
Early Intervention Allowance (EIA)
- Doncaster Early Years Inclusion Team Early Intervention Allowance - Category of Need
- Download (368KB - PDF)
Continuation of Early Intervention Allowance
- FS2 Funding Guidance for children with SEND
- Download (29KB - DOCX)
- Continuation of EIA into FS2 Reception - Autumn term
- Download (60KB - DOCX)
- Continuation of EIA FS2 - Spring and Summer terms
- Download (50KB - DOCX)
Inclusion Conversation
- Inclusion Conversation Frequently Asked Questions
- Download (315KB - PDF)
- Inclusion Conversation template
- Download (56KB - XLSX)
Parent Leaflet
- Send Booklet V2
- Download (10.9MB - PDF)
Wellbeing Plan
Since the pandemic there has been increasing awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing. We know young children have been particularly impacted by the pandemic and associated social distancing measures. At any one time a child may be anywhere on a spectrum between thriving, emotionally healthy, coping, struggling and unwell. They can move along the spectrum, and it is important that they access the right support and advice at the right time.
We know that providers are working hard to ensure the wellbeing of children, supporting them within their settings and school and where necessary seeking advice and support. While most children are thriving and achieving and able to access the wide range of experiences settings, school and services offer, we are aware of the increasing concerns you hold about some of the most vulnerable children you are supporting.
To support and guide the ongoing work settings and schools undertake with these young people. The Early Years Inclusion Team have created a child’s wellbeing plan template.
It is hoped undertaking the wellbeing plans with the child and their parent/carer will further promote their wellbeing, increase feelings of self-efficacy in the child and emphasise balanced thinking, strength-building, active coping and resilience while maintaining their safety.
The child’s wellbeing plan template is supplementary to services and support already in place and are not designed to replace an assessment, statutory guidance, or your setting, schools own safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Template wellbeing plan
- Download (55KB - DOCX)
Portage Team
What is Portage?
Portage is a home-visiting educational service for children 0-4 with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and their families.
Portage aims to:
- Work with families to help them develop a quality of life and experience, for themselves and their young children, in which they can learn together, play together, participate and be included in their community in their own right.
- Play a part in minimising the disabling barriers that confront young children and their families.
- Support the national and local development of inclusive services for children.
- Doncaster Portage Service Leaflet
- Download (651KB - PDF)
Who can refer to Portage?
Requests for Portage Service can only be made through submitting to the Early Years Request Panel. Requests can be made by:
- Parents and carers
- Paediatrician
- Health visitor
- Speech, physiotherapy or occupational therapy
- Social care
- Specialist services such as Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment and Early Skills Group
Seedlings Nursery
About Seedlings Nursery
Who can refer for a place at Seedlings?
Children can be referred to the Early Years Support Panel by Consultant and Community Paediatricians, Speech & Language Therapists and by members of the multi-disciplinary Autism Spectrum Assessment Pathway (ASAP) team. Where other colleagues wish to make a referral for a place at Seedlings they should seek supporting advice from a member of the ASAP team.
- Email: earlysupportpanel@doncaster.gov.uk
- Address: Maple Medical Pupil Referral Unit, Cedar Road, Doncaster, DN4 9HT
Request Form
- Sept 2023 Early Years Request form with parental consent
- Download (104KB - DOCX)
2 Year Integrated Progress Check (IPC)
About the 2 Year Integrated Progress Check (IPC)
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) Progress Check at age 2 and the Healthy Child Programme review offer 2 opportunities to:
- identify additional needs for children aged 2 to 3
- work in partnership with parents, carers, guardians and any relevant professionals to put the right support in place for the children who need it
Since 2015, the government has encouraged early years providers, local authorities, and health visiting services to work together to combine the Healthy Child Programme review and the EYFS Progress Check at age 2. This is known as an ‘integrated review’.
- Integrated progress check - all providers - old
- Download (109KB - DOCX)
- Integrated progress check format- childminders - old
- Download (109KB - DOCX)
- REQUEST FORM INTRODUCTION TO THE FAMILY HUB FL
- Download (153KB - DOCX)
- Meeting proforma for Integrated Progress Check for Group providers-1
- Download (14KB - DOCX)
IPC Form
- Integrated Progress Check New Form 2022
- Download (320KB - DOCX)
Process and Consent Forms
- Integrated check - process and consent for childminders
- Download (95KB - DOCX)
- Integrated Progress check Procedure Group providers
- Download (135KB - DOCX)
- Integrated check - process and consent for schools
- Download (95KB - DOCX)
- Integrated check - process and consent for Family hubs
- Download (133KB - DOCX)
- Integrated progress check consent form for parents and SPOC
- Download (65KB - DOCX)
Parents Guide
- Parents guide to the integrated progress check - 2021
- Download (124KB - DOCX)
IPC Video and Guidance
- IPC training video 2022
- Download (21.8MB - PPTX)
- Integrated Progress Checks and The Inclusion Conversation for Group Providers
- Download (37.2MB - PPTX)
Integrated reviews - Help for early years providers
Department for Education early years vodcast: Progress check at age two
Progress check at age two – Non-statutory guidance for the early years foundation stage
Ages and Stage Questionnaires (ASQ) and Summary Sheets
- ASQ-3 - 27 month questionnaire
- Download (438KB - PDF)
- ASQ-3 - 27 month summary sheet
- Download (178KB - PDF)
- ASQSE-2 - 30 month questionnaire
- Download (1.27MB - PDF)
- ASQSE-2 - 30 month summary sheet
- Download (232KB - PDF)
Childminder/School IPC Statement for Ofsted
City of Doncaster Integrated Progress Check
Are you due for your inspection? Are you clear about the process we use in Doncaster to complete the Integrated Progress Check?
As you are aware, at present, there are two checks of children’s development between the ages of two and three:
- the EYFS progress check at age two
- the health and development two-year-old review
Since 2015, the government has encouraged local authorities, health visiting services and early years providers to work together on an integrated education and health two-year-old review process. This can give a more complete and accurate picture of the child by drawing together:
- parents’ views and concerns about their child’s progress
- the early years practitioner’s detailed knowledge of how the child is learning and developing
- the health professional’s expertise in the health and development of young children
Integrated reviews take a variety of formats, and the DfE does not prescribe a particular process. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and different areas will need to adapt their own approaches to meet local needs and address local challenges. The separate parties may share information in a co-ordinated review. Or there may be a joint meeting between parents, health and education practitioners, and with the child present, in an integrated review. Whatever their format, they should support health and education professionals to identify:
- strengths
- any developmental delay
- any particular support or service from which they think the child/family might benefit
To be successful, there must be:
- clarity about how each child is reviewed, by whom and the follow-up support that is available
- understanding about how and when the impact of any support is evaluated, so that no children ‘fall through the net’
Integrated Review
- As a childminder, you should complete the progress check when the child is between 2 and 3 years at a time when is appropriate for the child. Typically, if a child has been settled in the setting for a period of time (roughly a term), the check will then be completed. This may be before or after the Health review.
- Typically, our Health colleagues complete the Healthy Child 2 year old checks at 27 months and give parents a copy of the summary sheet including ASQ scores , comments and any follow up. This can be shared by parents directly to you as a childminder. If you do not receive the information from parents, you MUST request it through Doncaster SPOC using the Parental consent form on the Local Offer. This information should be used as part of the Progress check (as detailed by the DfE above) to identify strengths, developmental delay and support or services from which the child may benefit.
- If you as a childminder complete the Progress check BEFORE the Health check, you MUST provide parents with a copy of the Progress check to share with Health. Where there are concerns about a child, you should contact SPOC directly (with parental consent).
- All information about the Doncaster process, consent forms, a Progress Check pro-forma and guidance materials are on the Early Years Inclusion page of the Local Offer.
Training
Training information is sent out termly directly to providers and can also be found on Buy Doncaster.
The Early Years Inclusion Team provide a core offer:
SAFEGUARDING AND WELFARE
- Basic Awareness in Child Protection and Safeguarding Children
- Refresher in Child Protection and Safeguarding Children
- Introduction to Signs of Safety
- WRAP Awareness Training – PREVENT and British Values for Early Years Providers
- Early Years DSL Network Meeting
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
- Early Years Essential Knowledge Briefing
- Managers Network Meeting for Early Years Providers
TEACHING AND LEARNING
- Childminding pre-registration course
- Refresher in the EYFS for settings
- New to EYFS for schools
- Integrated Progress check for settings, childminders & schools
- Portage Workshop
- Wee and Poo Training – supporting children to have healthy bladders and bowels
- Promoting Equity and Diversity in the Early Years
- Talking Together - Speech Language and Communication Training Universal & Enhanced Level
- Self-Regulation, Co-Regulation and Trauma Informed Approaches
- EYFS - Reception/ FS2 Teachers Network
SEND
- Reflection Toolkit - Neurodiversity Affirming Approach to Assessment for children with SEND
- Role of SENCO
- SENCO Cluster
- Strategies to support children with SEND
- Bespoke Makaton
Resources
Disability Access Funding (DAF)
Information for Disability Access Funding (DAF)
The Early Years Developmental Journal
The Early Years Development Journal is designed for families, practitioners and others to use as a way of recording, celebrating and supporting children’s progress.
This Journal is particularly useful if you know or suspect that a child who you are helping is unlikely to progress in the same way or at the same rate as other children - whether or not a particular factor or learning difficulty has been identified and given a name. It is also for people who would like to find out more about children's development in the early years.
- Early Years Developmental Journal
- Download (1.97MB - PDF)
- Generic Early Support Developmental Journal - Practitioners copy
- Download (548KB - DOC)
The Early Years SEND Toolkit
- early-years-toolkit-merged
- Download (5.99MB - PDF)
ERIC- The Children's Bowel and Bladder Charity
Potty training children with additional needs can be done in much the same way as teaching a child without additional needs. Look at tips for potty training or the guides below for more information. Visit the ERIC website for more information.
- ERIC's Guide to Potty Training
- Download (3.76MB - PDF)
- ERIC's Guide for Children with Additional Needs (Potty training)
- Download (3.15MB - PDF)
The Early Years SEND Partnership
Reflection Toolkit
A resource which encourages practitioners to consider areas where provision may need adjustment, in order to support children with learning differences. The Toolkit aims to ensure all children have the best possible chance of making progress and to provide a holistic picture of a child’s learning.
- Reflection Toolkit
- Download (504KB - PDF)
Interactive Child Development Questionnaires
Interactive Child Development Questionnaires
Dingley's Promise
Dingley's Promise - Homepage - Dingley's Promise
Early Years in Mind
Early Years in Mind | Anna Freud
Early Years Inclusion Team - Questionnaire for Providers
The Early Years Inclusion Team have created a questionnaire for providers. Please take a moment to complete the questionnaire on the link below.
Further Support and Information
- Childcare and Schools Finder
- Childcare for Children with SEND
- Family Hubs
- 15 Hours Childcare for Eligible 2 Year Olds
- 15 Hours Childcare for ALL 3 & 4 Year Olds
- 15 or 30 hours funded childcare and Tax-Free Childcare for working parents
- Help With Childcare Costs
- Childcare Provider's Contribution to The Local Offer
- Kerry Murphy | Famly Early Years blog author
Links
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