Information for Parents and Carers

Your child at Springboard:

To help your child have an enjoyable play and learning experience, we have an extensive range of toys and specialist equipment such as a ball-pool, soft play and sensory equipment and specialist seating. We also promote and encourage child led learning through play activities.

Some examples include:

• home corner/role play activities and cooking
• craft activities including play doh and clay and painting
• puzzles, games, books and mark-making
• computer activities
• indoor/outdoor play activities
• snack time
• singing, action songs and stories
• regular trips into the local community

More about our services:

• your child will have carefully planned sessions of play, songs, stories and snack times with up to nine others. A Playleader, a Deputy and one or two Support Assistants and several volunteers will join them in their play.

• we always like to chat with you at the end of the session about what your child has been doing. Your child will have a Keyworker who will have particular awareness of the individual needs

• after six weeks, the Playleader will arrange a meeting with you, usually a home visit, so that you can discuss your child's needs and decide between you the main areas where Springboard can help. An Individual Play Plan will be written by the Playleader after this meeting; you will be given a copy of evrything that has been discussed and agreed. Another review meeting will be arranged each term.

• your child may already have support from other people—speech and language therapists, physiotherapist, for instance—or we may suggest that a referral to these professionals would be useful. We welcome them to come to the playroom to share their advice and expertise with us and encourage partnership working.

• in a few cases, after discussion, with the Playleader, you may decide that your child does not need the intensive help Springboard provides. The Playleader will help you look into other possibilties such as the most appropriate local playgroup/preschool. Your child may attend another preschool as well as Springboard and may be able to have a Support Worker to help them.

• as your child approaches school age you may be offered a planning meeting with the range of professionals inbvolved with your child. Your child's Playleader will also be involved in this.