Welcome to Springboard frequently asked questions page, please click on highlighted links for more information.
Admissions
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 meet Springboard’s criteria then please complete the online referral form.
What happens when a referral is made?
This is what will happen when we receive a referral form for a child:
- We call the parents to let them know we have received the form. This is an opportunity for us to ensure we have all the right information.
- An initial meeting is arranged to meet the family; this can be a virtual call or a home or centre visit. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and assess the needs of the child.
- Using the information on the referral form and from the initial meeting, the following outcomes are possible:
- A child meets eligibility criteria – a placement is offered with immediate start
- A child meets eligibility criteria -a placement is appropriate however no spaces currently available – the child would join waiting list
- A placement is not appropriate –support provided in mainstream/ parental attendance at workshops
- A placement is not appropriate – parents are informed, no further action
If a placement is offered, Springboard will plan with parents a start date and organise a settling in plan. If a placement at Springboard is not appropriate, then we can offer support from our Inclusion Support Manager (ISM) to the child’s pre-schools, nurseries and childminders if needed .
How many hours can my child attend ?
Most children attend 1 x 5 hour session a week. There are occasions when this may be increased to meet the individual need of the child. We work with Wiltshire Council and parents to ensure all children get the placement that they need.
For children who need support and are not in a mainstream setting, we can offer a short term placement to enable us to observe , assess and plan for the child.
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 can help by signposting to other services that may be more appropriate.
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 eligible 2, 3 or 4 year olds, a place at Springboard will be funded from the Early Years Entitlement Funding, this goes towards the cost of the child’s placement.
For 2 year olds who are not entitled to funding, Springboard may be able to claim some District Specialist Centre Funding for up to 5 hours per week to enable them to access support. If this is applicable, we will discuss this with a parent/carer when the child starts their placement.
When a child attends multiple childcare settings, Early Years Entitlement Funding can be split between the settings based on the number of hours the child attends in each setting.
For 2, 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 £912 which can only be paid to one childcare setting and parents/carers must choose which setting they want to allocate this funding to. Choosing to allocate to Springboard can make a huge difference to what we can offer. We use this funding to maintain our high staff: child ratios.
For 2,3 and 4 year old if you receive certain income based benefits or you care for a child who has been adopted or a child looked after (CLA) Springboard could receive Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) funding.
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.
Starting at Springboard
Before your child starts at Springboard you MUST complete Springboard’s registration details. Springboard currently uses Nursery in a Box (NIAB) which is a 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 are completed before a child starts at Springboard. Failure to complete these details can delay your child’s start at Springboard.**
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.
What does my child need to bring when he/she starts at Springboard?
- Change of clothes
- Nappies and wipes
- Healthy packed lunch – MUST be labelled with child’s name. SPRINGBOARD IS A NUT FREE SETTING AND SO NO FOODS WITH NUTS IN ARE PERMITTED
- Drink–MUST be labelled with child’s name
- Clothing for outdoor play – coat for winter and wet weather, sunhats and sun cream for summer – MUST be labelled with child’s name
- All medication should be clinically labelled and handed to a member of staff for recording and storing
Learning at Springboard
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.
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.
Who else works with my child at Springboard ?
If your child is under services such as speech and language, physiotherapy , occupational therapy or other specialists they may arrange to observe and work with your child at Springboard. Children must be referred to these services; to access them, these staff are usually from Wiltshire Council or HCRG Care Group.
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: –
- Adaptable playrooms
- Aster Bannerman changing table
- Disabled toilet
- Inclusive ‘Community Playthings’ furniture
- Large enclosed play area
- Meeting rooms
- Sensory garden
- A large playroom
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, children have ‘Support Plans’ that ensure a child has positive outcomes. If a child appears to not be making progress and it is considered appropriate to request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) then this will be discussed with parents/carers and other professionals in a timely manner.
Please visit Wiltshire Council Website for more information on an Education Health Care Plan.
What other settings provide similar support?
Springboard is the only setting providing a specialist service in North Wiltshire.
Portage provides a home tuition service for children with similar needs
See https://localoffer.wiltshire.gov.uk for more information
Moving on from Springboard
How long can a child stay at Springboard?
The ultimate aim of Springboard is to help children move on and be included in mainstream settings.
A placement at Springboard is no longer appropriate when the child meets the following criteria:
- The child reaches a level of communication, social, emotional, and behavioural functioning that would enable them to successfully access the EYFS curriculum within a mainstream childcare setting e.g. they have the ability to interact positively with staff and peers.
- The child is of school age
If a placement is no longer appropriate, timescales for exit are discussed, and next steps are agreed to aid effective transition planning to another setting, by sharing practice and information.
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. The need for continued provision is something that we discuss at reviews with parents and professionals.
When a child leaves Springboard, where will they 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.
Supporting Parents
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, 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.
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
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
