Children’s Services is committed to ensuring that a high quality range of child support services are available throughout the community. Affordable and accessible childcare is at the heart of service delivery whether this is through registered day-care provision, childminders or holiday clubs. Overcoming geographical challenges to ensure there are equitable levels of provision across the islands are considered in an attempt to meet the needs of all local children and parents. Funding for families from the off-islands to access services is available, for more information contact the Children's Services team: Email: FamilyScilly@scilly.gov.uk Telephone: 0300 1234 105 Option 5
The Children's Services team provides a fully integrated service and support for families across the Isles of Scilly. Bringing together services within Children's Services and partners to provide a wide range of activities to support families and children. Work is undertaken with a range of partners including the Five Islands Academy, health services, Childcare providers, training and voluntary organisations focused on helping young people and their families. The integrated approach aims to provide a universal service for our small island community and to pick up and help address any issues at an early stage to the benefit of families across the islands.
The Isles of Scilly Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Network
The Isles of Scilly Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Network is a group of practitioners who work together to support 0-5 year olds and their families on the Isles of Scilly. These are:
- Council of the Isles of Scilly Children and Family Services
- Health Visiting team
- Midwifery team
- Cherry Blossom Childcare
- Five Islands Academy
- Childminders
Considering transitioning from an Early Years setting to Reception Class at Five Islands Academy
The Network has set out some advice below for parents, carers and EYFS staff to help them make decisions when considering moving their child from an EYFS setting to Reception Class at Five Islands Academy. The advice focusses on flexibility to ensure the needs of each child can be met. It explains what to expect from the teams involved and when, with additional considerations for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or Medical Needs set out underneath.
Further advice about joining Reception Class can be found on the admissions page of the Five Islands Academy website.
What to expect
Autumn Term (September - December)
Invitations to attend school based events, such as nativities and open afternoons, will be shared with EYFS settings and families.
Spring Term (January - April)
Where possible, school staff will visit the EYFS setting your child attends in order to get to know your child and their cohort. This will vary across the islands.
Five Islands Academy's 'open door' policy encourages families to get in touch with them directly with any questions at any stage.
Summer Term (May - July)
Five Islands Academy will be given access to your child's Learning Journal.
Transition meetings will be held to enable school staff to learn about your child's journey to date.
Once you have registered with Five Islands Academy, you will receive all of the information you need to enable your child to start school, including transition plans.
School transition sessions will take place. These will vary across the island bases. These sessions may involve attending transition mornings, lunchtimes and afternoons.
September
A warm welcome will await you and your family when school begins.
What to expect if your child has SEND/Medical Needs
Autumn Term (September - December)
With your permission, the EYFS setting will make contact with Five Islands Academy to share key information about your child. Support will be available to assist you in making contact with the school. Five Islands Academy's 'open door' policy encourages families to get in touch with them directly with any questions at any stage.
The EYFS Lead and/or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) from Five Islands Academy will contact you to discuss an Individual Transition Plan for your child.
Invitations to attend school-based events, such as nativities and open afternoons, will be shared to help your child become familiar with the school environment.
Spring Term (January - April)
The EYFS Lead and/or SENDCo will arrange to meet with you and any EYFS setting your child attends to make clarify transition plans.
Staff from Five Islands Academy will liaise with the EYFS setting to arrange visits and build relationships with your child and their cohort.
Summer Term (May - July)
Handover information will be shared by your child's EYFS setting with Five Islands Academy. This will include Early Years SEND documents, reports, individual Learning Plans (ILPs) and Health Care Plans. The final handover of documentation will depend on when your child finishes at their EYFS setting.
Invitations will be sent to Five Islands Academy for appropriate staff to attend meetings such as ILP reviews as part of the 'getting to know you' process. Visits to the school will take place, though these may vary across the bases and need to be flexible in order to meet individual needs and transition plans.
Additional paperwork, such as a Communication Passport and Social Stories, will be created as necessary.
Further visits can be arranged by request.
September
A warm welcome will await you and your family when school begins.