Smithfield House Nursery is a purpose built, owner-managed nursery in the heart of the City of London, offering early education and childcare to children aged 8 weeks to 5 years.
The nursery is open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 6pm, 51 weeks of the year. We close for one week over the Christmas holidays and all Bank Holidays. Our nursery has been specially designed to incorporate the needs of all children, whilst ensuring compliance with current regulatory requirements, such as Health & Safety, Disability Discrimination Act and Ofsted.
We provide a loving, safe and secure environment for all children regardless of ability or needs.
Contact:
Local Offer contact name: Janet MacGregor
Local Offer contact tel.: 0207 236 1000
Local Offer contact email: office@smithfieldnursery.co.uk
Smithfield House Nursery's Local Offer:
Smithfield House provides a universal level of service for families and children with SEND
How does the setting know if children need extra help? What should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs?
Most children spend at least 10 hours a day in the nursery, and so the staff get to know them well. Through careful planning and evaluation, our staff can identify early signs of a potential need. Our first port of call would be the child’s parent/carer, and the staff would sensitively enquire if the parent has any concerns themselves.
Strategies would be put in place to support the child and this would be carefully documented to show us if the child is moving forward in their learning.
The setting can seek further support from our local authority, who will also signpost us to other agencies who posses expertise in the need identified. Our staff are approachable and work hard to build good relationships with our parents/carers. If any parent has a concern, the child’s Key-Person (more info below) would be the person best placed to have an initial conversation
How will staff at the setting support my child?
Your child will be allocated a Key-Person, who will be responsible for planning activities and opportunities to support their learning, development and well-being during their time at Smithfield House Nursery.
As a whole, the team regularly observe all children and use these observations to track individual learning and development against the Early Years Foundation Stage – the national framework that all settings must adhere to.
During you and your child’s time with us, you will have access to the software system that we use. This is called ‘family.’ All observations that we carry out on your child are uploaded, and via a secure log-in you are able to view these. We encourage parents/carers to upload their own observations, to help build an informative picture of each child’s abilities and achievements. If, at any time, we observe and find that your child’s development is not quite where we would expect them to be in any area, your child’s Key-Person will discuss this with you.
Often, we find that some focused activities in the specific area of development means that in a few weeks everything is back on track. We use Short Term Education Plans, so that staff and parents can work together in supporting a particular area of development.
If, however, you or we feel that your child would benefit from some additional support, or there are further concerns, with your permission we are able to access the Area SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) within the Family Information Service at the City of London.
How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s needs?
The ethos of Smithfield House is: ‘No child has a problem, we do!’
To explain this further: All children in our care are seen to have the ability to achieve everything. All we need to do is make reasonable adjustments and model our environment to meet the needs of the children who access our services
How will I know how my child is doing and how will you help me to support my child’s learning?Here at Smithfield House, our staff plan activities that are meaningful to each child’s age and stage of development. This is documented allowing the staff to support each child’s learning and move them forward through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Documentation is in electronic format, and parents/carers are registered to receive regular updates on their child’s progress. Additionally, our parents can upload their own observations to the system, enabling staff to utilise this information for planning next steps for the child. Staff also take time to talk with our parents/carers each time they come in.
We endeavour to hold Parents Evenings bi-annually. These are opportunities for parents to discuss their child’s development. At this time, staff will explain how the child is progressing. If at any time during a child’s stay with us we feel that additional support is needed, we will always discuss this with you first.
We can also draw from the expertise of the relevant agencies, which allow us to put in place methods to ensure that your child’s developmental needs in all areas are being met. Smithfield House has an open-door policy and actively encourages its parents to chat to our staff about any concerns they may have, at any time
What support will there be for my child’s overall well-being?
We pride ourselves on our ability to build strong relationships with the families who access our services; thereby providing a sound support system. We have appropriate, but strict policies and procedures in place for the safe administration of medicines, and all staff hold a relevant paediatric first aid certificate. Staff regularly update their knowledge in this field in accordance with Ofsted legislation. All staff are aware of, and implement our policies and procedures surrounding each child’s personal care and care needs.
Staff promote good role modelling for the children to encourage good behaviour. Gentle and appropriate reminders are provided so that the children can understand what is expected of them. This, in turn, inspires the children to become positive role models for their peers.
Senior staff will make contact with families if their child has missed days at the setting where no prior notification has been given. This is to ensure that the child is safe and to provide support where appropriate
What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the setting?
All staff can undertake specialist training if required (e.g. Epi-Pen training, etc.) Additionally, we endeavour to invite specialists into the setting to allow staff the opportunity to further develop their knowledge and understanding of these professionals and be guided by their expertise.
What training have the staff who support children with SEND had?
All staff have undertaken training in supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We regularly attend SENCO forums to exchange ideas, experiences and expertise. We have a named SENCO, Shaney Selwyn, who holds a level three qualification in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND.) Additionally, she has completed Attention Autism training.
All our staff are qualified in Early Years Care and Education and will regularly update their knowledge through Ofsted recognised courses offered by Smithfield House, and by attending training courses offered by the City of London
How will my child be included in activities outside the setting including trips?
All activities are accessible to all children. Staff arrange the environment to allow all children free movement. In some areas, we have steps with child level hand rails. These help with gross motor skills. Any child with restricted mobility will be supported by staff to access these areas, ensuring that the child is never made to feel different or that they cannot engage. With careful planning and the assessing of risk, no area if off limits to any child.
Although we do not have outdoor space, we have the whole of London on our doorstep and your child will venture into the local community daily. The saying we have here at Smithfield House is: we don’t have bad weather, we have bad clothes! If your child is dressed in suitable clothing for the season, they will be out exploring our city every day. If trips are planned further afield, a visit is made by a senior staff member first. This allows us to identify any restrictions, plan how to overcome and minimise these. Parents are encouraged to join us on such occasions and to share in their child’s learning experiences
How accessible is the setting environment?
Smithfield House is fully accessible to wheelchair users and has disabled toilet facilities. The environment is bright and spacious.
We also have a sensory room that is accessible to all children. We have staff who speak a number of languages; and, if there is a need, we will endeavour to have all information available in any language.
How will the setting prepare and support my child to join the setting, and transfer to a new setting/ school or the next stage of education and life?
Before your child starts with us, we will ask you to share some information. This will tell us all about your child; what they like, dislike, what is important to them and how we can best support them. This will be the first step in our on-going partnership with you and will help us to meet your child’s specific needs from day one. We will then work with you and your child to ensure they settle securely into the nursery at their own pace.
We will capture your child’s learning and development in their ‘Learning Journey’ document – which we hope you will also contribute to. With your input, this will create a holistic overview of your child’s achievements and abilities. When it is time for your child to move on, this will help to form a ‘Transition Report’ for your child’s next setting.
Our ‘open door’ policy also extends to your child’s new setting: we often have children’s new Key-Person come and visit them during their time with us before they move on. Of course, this will only be with the parent/carer's consent. We are also happy to have 1-1 meetings with your child’s new setting, to ensure a smooth transition both for yourself and your child
How are the setting’s resources allocated and matched to children’s special educational needs?
Smithfield House Children’s Nursery allows for a budget to be set aside to invest in appropriate resources that will best support a child’s needs. This can be something as simple as books printed in different languages to more specialist play equipment that would support a child with SEND.
How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?
We will not seek any outside support without your permission, unless of course we are concerned that your child is at risk by not doing so. In most cases, we can agree this between us with the support of our setting’s SENCO. However, we also have access to the City of London Area SENCO, and SEND Project Manager, if required. Additionally, we have access to a Senior Educational Psychologist, who we can draw support from if your child has, or would benefit from, an Education, Health and Care Plan
How are parents involved in the setting? How can I be involved?
We encourage all our parents to be pro-active in their child’s learning.
Through ‘famly’, parents/carers can become directly involved with their child’s learning journey. Parents/carers can upload their own observations, comments or celebrations of their child’s achievements.
Staff take time to speak with each and every parent on a daily basis to ensure that we are meeting their expectations as their childcare provider. Additionally, we periodically distribute a questionnaire to all parents/carers. This enables us to consider the views of our families, and we welcome their feedback. This information assists us in reviewing our own practice and facilitates us in moving the setting forward
Who can I contact for further information?
All children are allocated a Key-Person. Whilst all the staff in your child’s room will care for your child throughout the day, it is the responsibility of the Key-Person to document your child’s development. Therefore, they are best placed for an initial discussion about anything relating to your child.
If you are considering joining the setting, please get in touch using the above contact.
Please also find Smithfield House Nursery's Ofsted report here.