At Seven Steps Childcare, we are committed to providing an inclusive environment where every child is supported to reach their full potential. Our ethos focuses on threading equality through every aspect of our provision, promoting aspirational targets for all children while fostering an understanding of diversity and fundamental British values.

The role of the SENCO

As the childminder for the setting, our lead practitioner acts as the named Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). We are committed to continuous professional development, attending local authority network meetings, and completing specific training through the Northumberland Early Years Inclusion Toolkit and the NCC Learning Pool to ensure our knowledge remains current and effective.

Inclusive practice and quality first teaching

We utilise a graduated approach to support every child, prioritising high-quality teaching as the primary response to any identified needs.

• Observation, Assessment, and Planning (OAP): We use this cycle to ensure our curriculum is differentiated to meet each child’s unique starting point.
• Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR): If a child is identified as not being on track, we escalate to this cycle to provide targeted support and specific individual targets.
• Early Identification: We use the Northumberland Early Years Inclusion Toolkit (NEYIT) to spot needs early and provide intervention as soon as possible.

Promoting diversity and respect

We actively celebrate diversity to ensure every family feels a sense of belonging. We promote non-stereotypical behavior by using diverse stories, images, and resources that challenge prejudice. We value every child’s contribution and invite families to share their unique ethnicities, religions, and cultures through stories, customs, and food.

Supporting independence and personal care

We empower children to develop independence in managing their own needs, including personal care like toileting and dressing, as well as specific health requirements. We ensure that every child feels respected and supported throughout their physical development.

Working with parents and external agencies

Effective support relies on strong partnerships. We work transparently with families and specialist services to coordinate care.

• Communication: We share our policies with all parents and can provide information in alternative formats or languages if required.
• The Local Offer: We signpost families to external organisations and services via the Northumberland Local Offer for SEND.
• Early Help: We raise awareness of Early Help Assessments (EHA) and work with the local authority to initiate these when beneficial for the family.
• Funding: Any additional SEN funding we receive is evidenced through progress tracking to ensure it effectively supports the child’s development.

Monitoring and integrated support

We review our inclusion and SEND practices annually to evaluate our resources and the progress of all children. We work closely with local services and follow Northumberland County Council guidance to ensure the best outcomes. To provide a consistent approach, we also share relevant developmental information with other settings your child may attend, such as nurseries or schools, with your prior consent.