Care and support

Opportunity classes - information for parents and carers of pre-school children with special educational needs

What are opportunity classes?

Opportunity classes are an educational provision for pre-school children with special educational needs. They offer play-based developmental experiences for the children who attend them. Each child has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) to meet their special educational needs which is agreed with their parents or carers and which is monitored and reviewed regularly. The classes also provide opportunities for:-

• Multi-disciplinary assessment and support.
• Parents and carers to meet together for mutual support.
• Information to be shared on local services and support groups.
• Links with other settings the child may attend.

Each class is run by a qualified teacher and a nursery nurse who have experience of working with children with special educational needs. They aim to work closely with parents and carers to meet children’s needs in the most effective way possible.

Who are they for?

The classes provide for pre-school children who have a significant difficulty in learning combined with a delay in one or more other areas of development.

How is a child referred?

Children are referred to opportunity classes by any agency involved with the family, for example, a health visitor, with the permission of the family. The classes have criteria for the children that attend. These include:-

• The age of the child (0 to rising 2 for the parent /toddler group and/or home visiting, rising 2 to rising 4 for the class).
• The child’s special educational needs.
• Whether the child attends any other provision (children who, for example attend nursery schools or classes for five sessions a week, would not attend).

Parents and carers are encouraged to visit the group or class to see whether they would like their child to attend. They will be informed in writing if a place will be offered or, if not, the reason why, with suggested alternatives.

What happens in the classes?

Children attending the classes can follow a full programme of play experiences. These experiences are broken down into small developmental steps to ensure children can achieve and make progress. Each class has information for parents and carers on the curriculum that is offered and how learning links with play experiences. The staff liaise with outside professionals, for example, physio and speech and language therapists who may also be involved with the children.

How often do the classes run?

Children attending will be offered two sessions a week, mornings or afternoons, depending on the class. When children start attending local preschools this reduces to one session a week. The parent/toddler group runs fortnightly.

Can parents and carers be involved?

Opportunity classes recognise that parents and carers are the prime educators of their children. They encourage their active involvement in planning to meet their child’s needs and reviewing their progress. Parents and carers have the greatest knowledge of their children and we rely on them to work with us in partnership to ensure these needs are met. We encourage parents and carers to remain at the class whilst it is in session and involve themselves with their children as much as possible.

How do children get there?

If parents and carers have their own transport or use public transport they will be reimbursed for petrol or costs. If no transport is available this can be provided.

What services are there for chidren under 2 years old?

The classes offer parent/toddler groups and/or home visiting for families with children aged 0 to 2 years old.

What is home visiting?

Home visiting is an educational service for 0 to 2 year olds with identified special educational needs. It offers regular home visits to the parents and carers by staff from the local opportunity class. The home visitor will work with the parents/carers to plan activities which will help the child to achieve and make progress. These can be carried out by the parent/carer between visits. Fortnightly visits will take place on a day and at a time agreed between the home visitor and the parent/carer.

What happens at parent/toddler group?

Parent/toddler groups are run fortnightly at the Opportunity class by the teacher and nursery nurse. They offer advice to parent/carers on strategies to meet their child’s special educational needs and opportunities for parent/carers to meet together. Visitors are invited to offer information and advice on issues identified by the group.

What happens when your child is 2?

When your child is about 2 years old, your home visitor or opportunity class teacher will discuss possible future services with you.These may include:-

• Attendance at the opportunity class.
• Continued attendance at the parent/toddler group for a further short period.
• Under some circumstances continued home visiting.
• Referral to the Advisory Teacher Service.
• Educational placement, for example, preschools.
• No further direct involvement.

What happens if you are not happy about something?

In the first instance you should talk to the opportunity class teacher who will try to resolve the difficulty. If this does not resolve the problem you can contact the Opportunity Class Service Manager. The class teacher will give you their name and telephone number. If this does not resolve the problem you can contact the Opporunity Class Service Manager. Complaints will be carefully listened to and action taken where necessary to implement improvements.

Where can you get more information?

Your health visitor, consultant community paediatrician or any therapist working with your child should be able to provide you with further information, or the telephone number of your local class so that you can talk to the teacher.
General information can be obtained by telephoning this number:-

• 01438 737500 (callers from 01923 or 0208 dialling codes may wish to call 01923 471500 in order to be charged at local call rates).