1. Does your setting make it clear that it is positive about children with special needs? Parents' handbooks should make it clear that all children are welcome, and photos on the walls and resources should include images of children with special needs.
2. Do you meet the requirements of the Special Needs Code of Practice? Representatives from early years partnerships and from professional organisations can advise you.
3. Do your staff members have opportunities to undertake further training on special needs?
4. Is your planning suitable for all children? Activities with 'right' or 'wrong' outcomes will lead to some children experiencing failure all the time.
5. Do you work closely with parents and share observations and planning?
6. Do you use other ways of communicating with children in addition to spoken language? For example, if all children know some Makaton, children with speech and language difficulties and hearing-impaired children can communicate on a more equal basis.
7. Are you prepared to be flexible and change what you do in order to meet a child's needs?
8. Are you happy to welcome professionals from other agencies, such as speech therapists, into your setting and involve them in your planning?
9. Will all of your staff work together to support a child with special needs? It is unreasonable to expect one member of staff to do it all.
10. Can you provide families with the names and contact details of relevant supportive organisations?
