ABSTRACT
Since 2002, all early years settings must have regard to the Code of Practice. This means that they must appoint a special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO), a practitioner with some special training to whom they can refer for advice and guidance. In addition there is an area SENCO who covers several settings. Early years settings must also have a special educational needs policy that sets out a system for identifying children with special or ‘additional’ needs and supporting them within the setting. Criteria for this are set out in the ‘principles and policies’ chapter of the Code of Practice and detailed in paragraphs 1:23 to 1:38. It is worth considering having a written behaviour policy as part of this so that staff and parents/carers are in no doubt about your rules and expectations. It also removes any uncertainties about how staff should respond to different behaviours in the setting.
