The Early Years SENCO will ensure the best possible educational outcomes are achieved for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at the Pre-School. All Early Years providers are required to have arrangements in place to identify and support children with SEND and to promote equality of opportunity for children in their care.  The ideal candidate would have good working knowledge of supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in an Early Years setting.

Background to Role

YMCA Sovereign Pre-School in Reigate is a vibrate setting, offering high quality and affordable childcare for children aged 2-5, including free Early Years entitlement places. Located in the YMCA Sovereign Centre, the Pre-School benefits from a lovely bright activity room with arts and crafts area, as well as sensory and soft play rooms. All children have access to our large secure outdoor play area which includes water play, gardening, and physical development through slides, swings, and ride on toys. The staff teams interact with the children, and facilitate their learning by supporting them to find the answers to their big questions. Our staff value the children, and their ideas and their play. We work with the children, encouraging and supporting but not doing for them to encourage their independence.

Main Responsibilities

The Early Years SENCO will:

u  Be aware of the settings responsibilities according to the SEND Code of Practice and ensure these are incorporated in daily practice.

u  Early identification and support of children with SEND.

u  Following the Graduated Approach and implementing advice and strategies to improve children’s outcomes.

u  Ensure all practitioners in the setting understand their responsibilities to children with SEND and the setting’s approach to identifying and meeting SEND.

u  Advise and support colleagues, showing an awareness of the Key Worker System, as outlined in the EYFS.

u  Ensure parent/carers are closely involved throughout and that their insights inform action taken by the setting.

u  Liaise with professionals or agencies beyond the setting, and ensure advice given by professionals is incorporated into the setting planning.

u  Complete all necessary paperwork to the highest standard, in a timely and effective way, following Surrey Local Authority procedures.

u  Organise and/or attend professional/parental meetings, including SEND Support plan meetings, transition meetings etc.

u  Continue continuous professional development through training and encourage staff to attend appropriate training.

u  Ensure awareness of any changes to legislation regarding SEND.

u  Work with the manager of the setting to regularly review current SEND and disability policies, guidelines and practice within the setting.

u  Draw on a range of sources, including the views of the child, supported by reliable evidence of effectiveness, to inform advice and support to colleagues on different approaches to improving children’s progress.

u  To provide high standards of customer service to children, parent/carers, and other stakeholders.

u  To work in cooperation with other team members and to provide a caring supportive environment in which children can thrive.

u  Comply with the YMCA East Surrey’s policies and procedures.

u  Maintain excellent working relationships with parent/carers, staff and other agencies.

u  Contribute towards the sharing of best practice across all YMCAES Early Years settings and other services for children and young people.

u  Follow YMCAES safeguarding, child protection and safer working practice policies at all times, taking any concerns regarding health and/or wellbeing to your line manager or senior management.

u  Act in the interests of your own safety & the safety of others at all times.

u  Undertake any other duties and responsibilities reasonably requested by the management of the organisation.

u  Report to your line manager any potential risks to which YMCAES is or may be exposed.

Salary:  £12.91 per hour | £15,104.70 plus holiday pay of 198 hours for a full holiday year from 1st April to 31st March each year.  

Hours of Work:   30 hours per week, Term Time Only, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3pm (exluding a 30 minute unpaid break each day)

Annual Leave :  Five weeks (pro rata) plus allowance for bank holidays.  Holidays increase after two years service to a maximum of six weeks.  The holiday years runs 

from 1 April to 31 March each year.

Location:  YMCA, Sovereign Centre, Slipshatch Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 8HA

Free Parking : There is free parking available at The Sovereign Centre and at all our delivery sites. YMCA East Surrey also operates a Bike to Work Scheme.

Pension Scheme: There is a YMCA East Surrey pension scheme - details available on request.

The post holder will be entitled to free use of the YMCA East Surrey fitness centre in Redhill and half price YMCA childcare for dependents.   

Closing date:  13th May 2024 with Interviews on 20th May 2024