Pre
School Learning Support
Philosophy
The
pre-school service for children with special needs aims to promote
the optimum development of pre-school children with special
educational needs by providing teaching and advisory support to
children, families, nursery/playgroup schools and liaise with other
professionals involved with these children.
There are
presently two pre-school staff based in Foyle View School -
Christine Eaton and Eimear Deeney, and if at any time you need
support or guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us at the
school.
Objectives
of pre-school Service
To encourage
and provide opportunities for children to reach their full potential
in all areas of development by:
-
assessment
of the child's individual needs
-
provision
of suitable programmes of work and relevant resources as
appropriate
-
regular
teaching sessions in the home or other agreed venue
-
review
and evaluation of the teaching programmes on a regular basis
-
providing
support and guidance for parents/carers of pre-school children
with special educational needs
To promote
co-operation with statutory agencies by:
-
developing
effective communication through regular attendance at multi
disciplinary meetings
-
liaising
and working collaboratively with other professionals who have
involvement with the child
-
responding
to requests for help, advice and information professionally and
with commitment
To facilitate
the transition into nursery/mainstream/special schools of those
children who have been referred and are receiving support through
the pre school service by:
Take account
of the most up to date research, ideas, resources and good practice
by:
-
providing
regular opportunities for continuing professional development of
the pre-school team
-
sharing
resources and information with parents/carers, colleagues and
other professionals
-
maintaining
regular contact with pre-school special needs teachers on a
regular basis
Importance
of Play
Play is
important in every child's healthy all round development, but for a
child with special needs it is essential. While many children
will learn to play spontaneously, children with special needs often
need help and support. Their difficulties may range from lack
of interest, to being over active, having a learning disability
and/or having physical problems that may hinder them in moving
around or handling objects. Parents need all their skills and
patience to encourage their child to play. It is important
that they do so because through play the foundations are laid for
all future learning. While children with special needs may
develop play skills at a slower pace, they will follow the stages of
play in the same order as other children.
Pre school
teachers have developed a booklet to emphasize the importance of
play in the development of the young child. It is designed
primarily to be of real value to parents and professionals who are
working with young children with special needs.
If you would
like a copy of this booklet please phone the school and ask to speak
to Christine Eaton.
Child
Protection
The service
recognises its legal duty to work with other agencies in
safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and responding
appropriately to concerns about abuse. The services' full
child protection policy is documented separately.
Access To
Pre-School Service For Children With Special Educational Needs
Individual
children are referred to the pre-school service through the
Educational Psychology service. Referrals are managed and
co-ordinated by a Senior Peripatetic Teacher who is responsible for
their allocation to individual pre-school teachers in accordance
with service priorities. Mother and Toddler groups for
children with special educational needs may also be organised by the
pre-school teacher as appropriate.
The Foyle
View Pre-School teaching team in partnership with staff from Creggan
Day Centre run a a Parent and Toddler group in Rathmore Out of
Schools Centre, Creggan. We meet every Thursday morning from
10.00 - 12.00 am and everyone is welcome.
Our aim is to
encourage young children to interact in a supported play situation
and give parents the opportunity to meet socially in a relaxed
environment.
Partnerships
The
pre-school service for children with special educational needs aims
to promote effective working partnerships between the teacher,
child, parents and other relevant agencies in order to maximise the
benefits of the intervention programme for the child.
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