SEND Information

What are special educational needs for young children? 

Children who are under compulsory school age have a special educational need and/or disability (also known as SEND) if they have a learning difficulty or disability that is likely to require special educational provision when they reach compulsory school age. For children under the age of two, special educational provision means educational provision of any kind, including home-based programmes.

What are the requirements for early years providers?

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework requires all early years providers to have arrangements in place to support children with SEN or disabilities and provide parents with information on this.  It is a mandatory requirement that maintained nursery schools employ a qualified Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), at Thornton Heath Nursery School this is Jenette Indarsingh (Head of Nursery, QTS, PGCE SENCO).

The links below explain what Thornton Heath Nursery School and Croydon are able to offer families whose children have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

What is the Local Offer?

Local Authorities must publish a Local Offer which sets out in one place information about the available provision in their area across education, health and social care for children and young people with SEND, including those who do not have EHC plans. Croydon’s Local Offer can be found here.