Taking on the SENCO role in an Early Years setting is a big responsibility, but it is rewarding. At Bright Horizons, we value our SENCOs and provide them with regular support, bespoke training, and an internal support network to enable them to share ideas and ask questions through our SEND Champions. All our SENCOs are passionate about providing the best possible opportunities for all children, including those who need extra help. We ensure their knowledge is kept up to date through internal training and we actively support them in accessing Local Authority training in addition to the excellent BH training on offer. 

In line with best practice, there is no expectation that the SENCO should provide all the support for every child in the setting who has additional needs. Rather, this person’s purpose is to oversee the day-to-day implementation of our SEND policies and procedures and provide support and guidance to the nursery team. Most SENCOs in early years settings carry out their duties in addition to an already busy schedule as a key person, room leader, or management role. They often wonder how they will find time to do all the things that need to be done, but it’s their dedication, coupled with the commitment set out in our policies and procedures that makes it possible.

What Does an Early Years SENCO Do?

The Code of Practice lists four main areas of responsibility for SENCOs in early years settings. They are expected to:

• Ensure all practitioners in the setting understand their responsibilities to children with SEND and the setting’s approach to identifying and meeting SEND.
• Advise and support colleagues.
• Ensure parents are closely involved throughout and that their insights inform action taken by the setting.
• Liaise with professionals or agencies beyond the setting.

What Makes You an Effective Early Years SENCO?

• You hold the belief that every child is an individual with the potential to develop and achieve. Your experience of supporting children with additional needs will give you an awareness of effective strategies and techniques that can be used, and you will promote equal opportunities for every child.
• You have a thorough knowledge of child development and the SEND Code of Practice.
• You understand your role and have an awareness of the full range of your responsibilities, which should be outlined in your job description.
• You know which tasks to delegate but are supportive of your colleagues.
• You have good organisational, time management, and communication skills.
• You can stand back, look, and listen to gain an overview of the child’s needs, using your observations to inform assessment and future planning.
• You are anticipatory and plan ahead.
• You are approachable and can work in partnership with parents, colleagues, and outside agencies.
• You are aware of the support and advice offered internally and externally and how to access this.
• You take every opportunity to network with SENCOs in other settings whenever possible.

What Will Be Your Key Tasks?

• Implementing the SEND Policy: You will take the lead in ensuring that all staff are aware of its contents and work within the guidelines it provides. You should also find ways of making sure that parents are aware of the policy.
• Record-Keeping: A key part of your role is to decide what information to record about the developmental progress of a child with additional needs. You will also need to be aware of the issues around information sharing and confidentiality.
• Coordinating Input from Outside Professionals: An individual child with additional needs may have regular input from professionals from outside your nursery. You will be responsible for making sure that this input is coordinated.
• Coordinating Meetings: As part of your role, it will be necessary for you to coordinate meetings about individual children and ensure that the relevant people are invited to be part of this. Any documentation shared during the meeting and any notes made will need to be shared with all attendees afterward.
• Ofsted: When you are visited by Ofsted, they will want to know about the children in your setting with SEND. You will need to be able to talk about individual children and all of the support that has been put into place to support them.

SENCO Survival Tips

• Don’t try to do everything at once: Step back and take an overview. Decide on your priorities and take actions step by step.
• Don’t try to do it all by yourself: Delegate to colleagues – but make sure you explain clearly what they need to do. Speak to other SENCOs. Ask therapists and Local Authority advisory teachers for advice.
• Communicate: Remember – this involves listening as well as expressing yourself.
• Learn: Take up training opportunities when you can. Reflect on your own practice. Ask yourself, “What works well – and why?” See what works for others. Listen to parents – you can learn a lot from them.
• Smile: Smiling reflects your inner optimism, a signal to the world that you are focusing on the good in any situation. It's not just about looking happy on the outside; it is an indication of your empathy and confidence!