Welcome to Springboard frequently asked questions page, please click on highlighted text for more information.
How do I refer a child to Springboard? 

A referral to Springboard can be made by a parent/carer or a professional. If you have concerns about a child’s development and feel that they meets Springboard’s criteria then please complete the online referral form.  

What happens when a referral is made?  

Once your referral is received it will be processed by our family admin team. We will then contact the Parents/Carers to arrange an appointment to meet virtually with the Springboard Manager or Deputy Manager (an in person meeting can be arranged if necessary). This meeting helps parents to find out more about Springboard and for Springboard staff to understand more about the child’s needs. The meeting will enable Springboard staff to decide if a placement will be offered to the child.  

If a placement is offered, Springboard will liaise with parents to confirm a start date and organise a settling in plan. If a placement at Springboard is not appropriate, we can work with the child’s pre-schools, nurseries and childminders  to support the child. 

Before your child starts at Springboard you MUST  

Complete Springboard’s registration details. Springboard uses Nursery in a Box (NIAB) which is an parent admin system. A link to the registration forms will be sent to both parents once a start date has been confirmed.  It is an Ofsted welfare requirement that these forms must be completed before a child starts at Springboard.  

What does my child need to bring when he/she starts at Springboard?  
  • Change of clothes  
  • Nappies and wipes  
  • Healthy packed lunch – please put name labels on  
  • Drink– please put name labels on  
  • Clothing for outdoor play – coat for winter and wet weather, sunhats and sun cream for summer – please put name labels on  
  • All medication should be clinically labelled and handed to a member of staff for recording and storing  
 How much does it cost for a child to attend Springboard?  

Springboard placements are offered on the basis of a child’s need. We do not charge parents and carers for their child’s place at Springboard. Springboard is a charity and it is through fundraising that we can remain operational. Whilst there is no charge for a child’s place, we do need families to get involved in supporting fundraising activities. There is more information on our how to get involved page.   

For children aged 3 or 4, Springboard will apply for Wiltshire Council Early Years Entitlement Funding to put towards the cost of the child’s placement. 

For some 2 year olds Springboard may be able to claim some District Specialist Centre Funding for up to 5 hours per week. If this is applicable to we will discuss this with a parent/carer when the child starts their placement.

When a child attends multiple childcare settings the Wiltshire Early Years Entitlement Funding can be split between the settings based on the number of hours the child attends each setting.  

For 3 and 4 year olds in receipt of DLA, there is an additional grant available called the Disability Access Fund (DAF). This is a one-off annual payment of £910 which can only be paid to one childcare setting, parents/carers must choose which setting they want to allocate this funding to. Because Springboard is a charity, this payment can make a huge difference to us , we use this funding for things such as staff training and specialist resources.

If a child is aged 0-2 years old, Springboard has a Stay and Play session for parents and children called Rabbits which is funded by Springboard the Charity.

What do you need to know about my child when they start at Springboard?  

We will organise a Welcome to Springboard session with you that will help us agree a settling in plan, at this appointment we will need you to bring the following.

  • Child’s full birth certificate  
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)  award letter- if applicable  
  • If your 2 year old is entitled to early years funding we will need the award code in order to claim it.  
 How do the children learn at Springboard?  

The curriculum at Springboard is delivered through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is designed to meet the individual learning stages of all children. Staff are ambitious in their planning of activities to promote a child’s educational potential.  Please visit our learning and development page for more information.

 How long can a child stay at Springboard?  

When a child starts at Springboard, we work together to plan the support that is needed, this is a team approach. By working together, we hope to see a difference in your child’s progress. Some children move on from Springboard after short placements and others stay until they start school, the length of the placement is based upon an individual child’s needs. Our aim is that children can move on successfully from Springboard at a time that is right for them. The need for continued provision is something that we discuss at reviews with parents and professionals.  

If a child comes to Springboard, can he/she still go to our local Pre-school, Nursery or Childminder?  

Yes, children can attend multiple childcare settings. We work to support the inclusion of all children in their local community activities, and this includes local early year settings. Springboard works with preschools, childminders and nurseries across the whole of North Wiltshire. 

If a child comes to Springboard, does it mean he/she will get an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP)? 

Not necessarily. Attending Springboard does not mean that a child will get an EHCP. By working with other professionals, we create ‘Support Plans’ to ensure a child has positive outcomes. If a child appears to not be making progress and it is considered appropriate to request a statutory assessment for an EHCP then this will be discussed with parents/carers. 

Please visit Wiltshire Council Website for more information on an Education Health Care Plan.

When a child leaves Springboard, where will he/she go to school? 

Children move on from Springboard to a range of schools. Many children attend their local mainstream primary school, some go on to a ‘Resource Base’ (a mainstream primary school with a specialist unit attached), and others attend a Specialist School.   

When a child comes to Springboard, what can parents do to get involved? 

We have lots of opportunities for parents and families to get involved. Attending activities such as Playdates, Saturdads and Cuppa & Chat helps families to meet other parents in the same position as themselves. Getting involved in fundraising and social activities means you help Springboard to continue helping children with special needs and their families in the North Wiltshire community. Springboard also runs workshops  once a term to help parents learn the use of visuals for communication.  

What does Springboard offer differently to other settings? 

We are a specialist preschool for (children aged 2-5) offering care and education for children with additional needs. For more information please visit Springboard’s What we do Page.

What resources, equipment does Springboard have? 

Springboard is a purpose-built building, compliant with the Equality Act 2010, it is all on one level and has easy access with wide doors. Specialist equipment/ resources include: – 

  • Two large playrooms 
  • Aster Bannerman changing table
  • Sensory garden
  • Large enclosed play area
  • Inclusive ‘Community Playthings’ furniture
  • Observation window
  • Meeting rooms
  • Adaptable playrooms
  • Disabled toilet
  • Sensory room
What happens if a child does not get a place at Springboard?  

If it is felt that a child does not need a place at Springboard, then we will help by signposting to other services that may be able to provide support. 

How do I get to know what is happening at Springboard? 
  • Website – for all information on who we are, what we do and why. The website also has all the information about term dates, dates for Cuppa & Chat, Saturdads & playdates, dates of training workshops.
  • Tapestry for information on your child day at Springboard. This is an online learning journal documenting your child’s play experiences and learning progress, this can include photos and videos. Both parents/carers and keyworkers can upload media and comment. 
  • Nursery in a Box (NIAB) – This is our online Parent Admin system. This contains the information provided in a child’s registration form e.g. contact details, emergency contact details, medical information and details of permissions and consents. It is vital that parents and carers keep this information up to date. NIAB is Springboard’s main method of communication with parents and carers.
  • Social Media – for highlights of the week and for information about all the people and organisations who are supporting Springboard. Springboard is on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
How do I purchase Springboard Uniform?  

To purchase a Springboard T shirt please visit Springboard online Shop.   

List of acronyms used  
  • SEND         Special Educational Needs and Disability  
  • EHCP         Education and Health Care Plan  
  • DSC            District Specialist Centre  
  • EYPP          Early Years Pupil Premium  
  • DAF            Disability Access Funding  
  • MSP            My Support Plan  
  • PECS          Picture Exchange Communication System  
  • TEACCH   Adult led structured activities  
  • AA              Attention Autism Activities, structured group activities to support a child’s attention and listening skills
  • OT              Occupational Therapist
  • SALT         Speech and Language Therapist 
  • EP              Educational Psychologist
  • ASD           Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • VI               Visual Impairment
  • SLCN         Speech, Language and Communication Needs