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Support for early years private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers
Contents
Overview
Early years providers should be able to provide for all children, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
See the SEND requirements and policies for early years providers
Our Early Years Inclusion Service (EYIS) support all private, voluntary or independent (PVI) providers in Royal Greenwich. This includes help with:
- advice, guidance and training on inclusive early learning environments
- linking education, health and social care services
- transitioning the child to school
We provide this support through our Early Years Area Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos).
Find out how we support children aged 0 to 5
Early years providers are responsible for carrying out special educational needs support using the graduated approach – assess, plan, do and review.
Find out more about this approach under how to get SEND support
Join an early years consultation forum
If you are an early years practitioner, you can join a regular support group to:
- share advice and information on SEND-related issues you may have
- develop reflective thinking
- help with professional development
These groups are especially useful for early years practitioners who have daily contact and first-hand knowledge of the children they’re working with.
You’ll also find it helpful to attend multiple sessions to build your knowledge, skills and trust within the group.
How the forums work
An Area SENCo and Educational Psychologist will run the group. We hold these sessions once every half-term for 1 to 2 hours.
Once everyone has been introduced, the session will begin with a summary of any developments from the previous consultation forum. During the forum, you’ll:
- choose an issue to discuss – each group member gives a summary of an issue they want to discuss, and the group decides which issue to explore further. These could be questions about raising concerns with a parent, prioritising responsibilities, time management and more.
- present the issue in detail – the person who raised the issue presents it in detail to the group. The rest of the members focus on active listening, only asking questions to clarify the issue.
- ask open-ended questions – the group can ask open questions that encourage reflective thinking. The group does not offer advice or solutions at this stage.
- discuss ideas – everyone can come up with ideas or theories about what is contributing to the problem. The focus is on discussing and reflecting on the issue.
- give solutions – group members can give potential solutions to the issue. The facilitators record suggested strategies but group members are welcome to take their own notes
Upcoming consultation forums
Autumn term 2024
- Join Antoinette Hunte at 10am to 11.30am, Tuesday 8 October: Join on Microsoft Teams
- Join Antoinette Hunte at 10am to 11.30am, Monday 2 December: Join on Microsoft Teams
Spring term 2025
- Join Antoinette Hunte at 10am to 11.30am, Wednesday 29 January: Join on Microsoft Teams
- Join Antoinette Hunte at 10am to 11.30am, Thursday 13 March: Join on Microsoft Teams
Summer term 2025
- Join Antoinette Hunte at 10am to 11.30am, Friday 2 May: Join on Microsoft Teams
- Join Antoinette Hunte at 10am to 11.30am, Monday 23 June: Join on Microsoft Teams
Get training for PVI providers and SENCos
EYIS provide SEND training for groups of mixed practitioners or the whole setting.
If you are interested, work with your Area SENCo to arrange this.
Contact the Early Years Inclusion Service Consultation Line
If you are working with a child who has been identified as needing targeted support, you can discuss any concerns with your Area SENCo.
Call 0208 921 3311 and ask to speak to Antoinette Hunte.