katkin

Hi sorry just realised that I hadn't noticed how old your small one was. If they are eligible for a nursery grant the nursery can apply for extra funding from the LEA,in Hampshire this is an extra �8.50 over the normal nursery grant per session. At the moment in Hampshire there is a small mount of money available for a childcare grant for nurseries to apply for, for children with SEN who are younger than have the grant applied to them (3yrs-ish) this also is �8.50. The form has to be signed off by the area inco or Portage worker and provides evidence (ieps, reports etc) that the child does have SEN. A nursery cannot refuse to take your child or charge you extra - this is discrimination - they can however make life very difficult for you but that is another story.............. Also in our area childminders are being encouraged to provide an inclusive environment for all. The NCMA are being very proactive about this and perhaps if you contact them they will be able to provide you with names of childminders who actually like children and want to be with them! Hope this helps a bit, love Kat

That's the one - many thanks. Kat

Thanks Baddad but it's not the one I was thinking of. I can't remember much but know it had ague in it and the usual bough, cough,rough, though ones. Love Kat

Hi everyone, long time no speak and now I'm back to ask for something!! Ages ago (probably more than a year) I think Kathryn or Bid posted a poem that was full of English words commonly mispronounced/tricky to pronounce. Foolishly I didn't save it in a word documentI would really like this for my daughter's school work but can't find it anywhere. Can anybody help me please? Many thanks, Kat

Sorry, meant to add I have learnt from this sorry affair. When child reaches transition time (yr9) start a new file and log all phone calls and precis of them and keep all letters in it. Sadly too many things have got lost along the 3 3/4 yrs of this very long road. Otherwise I think the evidence against SS would be even more damming!! Ss should not be allowed to get away with their bad practice and sadly it's only if parents can find the emotional energy and courage to challenge this that anything will change. It shouldn't be so and it grieves me to think that there are young people whose parents are unable to go through this for whatever reason who are just left with no provision. Hopefully things will change. I wonder what I'm sending my preschoolers towards sometimes! Kat

Lorry, I agree with middleaged, slightly batty. Not so sure about disorganized - wasn't it you who present SS with a large dossier of their volumes of correspondence, they were so disorganized they didn't know they hadn't sent a copy of the action plan. SS also didn't have copies of their letters to you - though perhaps because son's file is now so large it needs a truck to move it!! Also not sure of the hating confrontation bit. Beware small thin dark wiry women, they bite your ankles and don't let go!! A great result though - made me smile all weekend too! Kat

My highlight moment was the chair of the independant panel asking S.S "can you explain why Lorry didn't receive a copy of the action plan; it's quite a basic requirement....?" I think that is a moment that will stay with me for a long time - just the look on the three S.S men's faces and nothing to come out of their mouths!! It was worth doing though I think and I hope it will have a good outcome. Best to take someone who knows you but is not emotionally involved though. Love Kat

Well, we went to tribunal yesterday and.................................. it's not my news to tell so where is Lorry?

It's today!! I have prepared and ready to do battle! Have my shoulder pads on and my tongue sharpened. Kat

Will phone tomorrow Lorry to plan campaign and catch up. Off to swim now. Sometimes on Saturday swimming the head of EECU in my county (early education and childcare unit) is in "lanes" with me. If anyone wants me to splash him let me know.......

I'm quite tall anyway and beware of small dark wiry woman who terrier like round the ankles -that's Loraine, so all areas covered!!! Kat

Will plan a campaign practicing my assertiveness. Going to wear red for agression with shoulder pads - superwoman outfit should do it!!!

Sorry....who said I could argue for England???!!!...........it's true though in a strange way I'm almost looking forward to it, seeing the county tying themselves in knots. Love Kat

Peppa, if you have a Portage Home Visitor they should be able to help you with information re school entry. Your child already has recognised SEN if you are receiving Portage, this means that they are already "in the system". In our area this means that all children with recognised SEN under school entry age are discussed at the North Hants Pre-school Advisory Group(NHPAG) the purpose of the NHPAG is to make sure that provision, if not already in place, is known to be required and the child will have an EP assigned to them. This may be the same EP who deals with the school for your catchment but not necessarily so. Your Portage Visitor can request a joint visit with her to you, indeed should have already done so. Portage should also be supporting preschool to an extent re IEPS. Hope this helps a bit, love Kat

I think that the older lady will be more inclined to be "set in her ways." I know I am to a certain extent! The big minus for me is that she has no transport. Don't write off the young girl because she's young - she will also be more flexible to be trained to your (and Logan's) ways because she has no experience. I was constantly amazed when I worked in residential by some of the young employees, 17-18yr olds, they treated the residents like siblings, had fun, interracted and showed great maturity in their dealings. A very difficult decision for you, go with your gut on this one I would say. Much like choosing schools you know what feels right or not. Could you invite them for a taster session with your children? I'm sure Logan will have her sussed in 2mins! My thoughts anyway. Love Kat