EARLY YEARS TRAINING

TRAINING OFFERED

I'm available to deliver training across the county at a time to suit you, for up to twenty participants. Evening and weekend training is offered at no extra cost. Each training session will be written to meet your specific needs.

All training I offer comes with handouts, certificates and follow up email support. If you require training which isn't listed here, please contact me and I will try to help. I am also available to speak at conferences, present workshops and can offer support if you need advice about individual or groups of children. Testimonials are available on request. Remember you can use Pupil Premium Funding to access training, further information is available here.

The Role of the Early Years SENCO

This practical course is for SENCOs who wish to ensure their setting

meets the statutory requirements. Updated paperwork will be provided,

examples of good practice shared and a checklist completed to help

you prioritise and implement any necessary changes.

Meeting the Needs of Children with SEND

The main aim of this course is to ensure all staff understand their statutory duties to identify and meet the needs of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and have a range of practical strategies and resources which enable them to do this.

Topics can include:

Equality of opportunity - taking initial enquiries from parents, including those who may have a child with a Special Educational Need/Disability.
Induction - gathering useful information, involving outside agencies, how to ensure a successful first session for the child and family.
Initial concerns - the importance of knowledge regarding typical child development, general and specific observations and assessments, raising initial concerns with parents.
Meeting the child's needs - using the child's interests, prioritising areas for development, reflecting on the environment and current approaches, relevant and useful paperwork, referrals to other agencies.
Smooth transitions - between staff, rooms and settings.

Identifying and Supporting Children with Delayed Speech and Language Skills

This practical course is a great use of Pupil Premium funding, you will complete a communication audit of your setting pre and post training to show the impact. We will examine the risk factors for delays and how to ensure early identification. A range of realistic assessment tools, strategies and activity ideas will be provided and we will examine the impact of our interaction styles in opening up or closing down children's communication.

Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment

The EYFS refers to the "Unique Child" but this is sometimes forgotten when a child receives a diagnosis. During this course, participants will be encouraged to consider the "Unique Child" by completing an environmental audit and will use task analysis to identify and resolve barriers to learning for children with identified special educational needs/disability.

Child Development and Early Identification

The EYFS Statutory Framework tell us "Practitioners must consider whether a child may have a special educational need or disability which requires specialist support." (1.6) Every practitioner needs to be confident in their knowledge of typical child development if they are to ask for support from their SENCO when they have concerns about a child. During this course we will examine typical development in each of the prime areas and discuss "warning signs" which may indicate the need for further observation, assessment and referrals.

Understanding and Supporting Children's Behaviour

We will look at the typical development of social skills and factors

which can impact on this, as well as the role of the environment in

promoting positive behaviour for both adults and children. A range

of practical strategies will be discussed and participants will be given

documentation to support them in their setting.

Attention and Listening Skills

Anecdotal evidence suggests these vital skills are in decline and without them, children will find it difficult to learn effectively. During this course we will look at the possible causes of delayed attention and listening skills and most importantly, discuss effective strategies which will benefit all children.

Supporting Children with Unclear Speech

This course will provide an overview of typical speech sound development and factors which can impact on this. Participants will be given a range of activity ideas to use in their setting and will feel confident to make appropriate referrals to Speech and Language Therapy.

Supporting Children with a Delayed Understanding of Language

We can over-estimate the level of a child's understanding as they become skilled at following our non verbal communication and copying their peers. This course will show participants how to informally assess the level of a child's understanding and provide strategies to support the development of early vocabulary and concepts.

Supporting Children with Delayed Social Communication Skills/Autism

Children with delayed social communication skills/autism often have a spiky profile which shows an uneven pattern of development. We will look at a range of tools to help you accurately assess a child's needs and practical strategies will be shared, including how to make appropriate referrals and work in partnership with parents and professionals.