Choosing a childminder if your child has a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND).

In Barnet, children of all abilities and needs are included in Childminding settings. All EYFS settings, including Childminding settings, are required by law to make reasonable adjustments for children with SEND; ‘All early years providers have duties under the Equality Act 2010’ and must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ (p.80, Chapter 5, SEND Code of Practice 2015). Childminders should be aware of their rights and responsibilities under the SEND Code of Practice. 

Jenny Boyce and Susie Edwards are Childminding Quality and Support Officers and are part of Barnet’s Children’s Service. They offer support and advice to all registered childminders. They are also the named Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos) for registered Barnet childminders.  As well as offering support to childminders, parents can contact them about the services childminders can offer.

Childminders in Barnet also have access to an Area SENCo who can provide further specialist support and advice to childminders working with children with SEND. Childminders have access to a wide range of specialist training, led by the Pre-school Inclusion Team, on supporting children with SEND.

Childminders can offer your child a ‘home from home’ environment which usually has smaller numbers of children and adults than a nursery.  This homely environment may especially suit some children’s particular needs.

It is important to visit potential childminders. If you are unsure of what to look for when visiting, please contact Jenny or Susie; they will be able to support and guide you through the process.

Early Years Special Education Needs Inclusion Funding (EY SENIF)

Barnet funded private, voluntary, independent early years settings (including registered child minders) and maintained school nurseries can apply for Early Years Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (EY SENIF).  This funding is available to support individual children with complex special educational needs and disabilities.

Contact Details

  • Susie Edwards (Childminding and Quality Support Officer)
    Email - [email protected]
    Telephone - 07963 464 512
     
  • Jenny Boyce (Childminding and Quality Support Officer)
    Email - [email protected]
    Telephone - 07720 203 945