Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
at Brookside Nursery

"Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be."

RITA F PIERSON

At Brookside Nursery, inclusion sits at the heart of everything we do. We believe every child is unique, and we are committed to ensuring that all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receive the support, understanding and high quality provision they need to thrive. Our aim is for every child to feel valued, confident, and fully included in the life of our nursery.

Our Inclusive Approach

We are extremely proud of our welcoming, all inclusive environment. All children are encouraged to learn alongside one another, develop friendships, and build confidence through shared experiences. Our practitioners have a strong understanding of additional needs, and children with SEND are supported by both a specialist key worker and a knowledgeable wider team.
Our approach ensures that:
• Every child can access an engaging, developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Support is tailored to individual strengths, needs and interests
• Children learn, play and interact with peers in a nurturing and supportive setting
• Staff work flexibly and responsively to help each child make progress at their own pace.

How We Identify and Support SEND

The needs of children with SEND are overseen by the Academy’s Nursery’s SENCo, who meet regularly to monitor children’s progress, discuss any concerns, and identify children who may benefit from additional support or intervention. This ensures early identification and prompt, effective action.
Where additional needs are identified, children are supported through targeted strategies, adapted routines, personalised resources, and carefully structured adult interactions. Staff work closely with families at every step, ensuring support is consistent and collaborative.
Children with a diagnosis or a health based care plan have an individual APDR document. This cycle is reviewed every half term and ensures that:
• Needs are clearly understood
• Goals are specific and achievable
• Strategies are purposeful and well matched
• Progress is closely monitored
• Parents are fully involved throughout

Our Work with Specialist Provision

We work closely with the Specialist Provision within Brookside Academy. For children with more significant needs, staff regularly share expertise, resources and approaches to ensure our provision remains inclusive, high quality and responsive.
Examples of shared practice include:
• Joint development of interventions (e.g., Attention Autism)
• Access to enhanced sensory experiences
• Collaborative planning and problem solving
• Consistency in communication approaches and routines
This strong partnership allows children to access specialist support while remaining fully included in nursery life.

Therapist and Professional Support

Our nursery team is supported by external specialists who work closely with staff and families. These include:
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physiotherapists
These professionals provide assessments, guidance, and tailored strategies to help staff meet each child’s communication, sensory, or physical development needs. Their input ensures that support strategies are evidence based, appropriate and embedded in daily practice.

Working With Families

We recognise that families know their children best. Partnership with parents is central to all SEND support at Brookside Nursery. We ensure that families are:
• Listened to, respected and actively involved
• Included in all decisions around support
• Updated regularly on progress and next steps
• Encouraged to share home routines and strategies
• Supported through referrals to external agencies where required
Together, we create a consistent and strong support network around each child.

Our Commitment

At Brookside Nursery, we believe every child deserves the best possible start. For children with SEND, that means:
• Personalised support
• Skilled and compassionate adults
• A nurturing, inclusive environment
• Access to specialist advice and resources
• High expectations for engagement, progress and wellbeing
We are committed to ensuring that all children experience success, develop confidence, and enjoy their learning journey.

Helpful links for Parents:

SEND Code of Practice (0–25)
Government guidance explaining how children and young people with SEND should be identified and supported.
View the SEND Code of Practice

SEND: Guide for Early Years Settings (DfE)
A clear parent friendly explanation of how early years settings support children with SEND.
Read the Early Years SEND Guide

Early Years SEND Assessment Resources
Practical guidance developed with Dingley’s Promise to help understand assessments, children’s strengths, and target setting.
Visit SEND Assessment Guidance

SEND Support in the Early Years — Sense
Independent charity providing advice about early identification, support in nurseries, EHC plans, and practical family guidance.
Read Sense’s Early Years SEND Advice

Somerset Professional Choices (SEND Services)
Information on SEND services, contacts and guidance for families.
Explore SEND Services

SEN Help – Early Years Support (0–5)
Clear guidance for parents on what should happen in the early years, how to request assessments, and how the process works.
Visit SEN Help