Recently, as part of the regular review of policies within our nursery, we questioned the term 'special educational needs'. We asked if we were being indirectly discriminate when using it, particularly when a number of children may require support for various reasons - for example, bereavement, moving house, children with named medical conditions, and so on. During the review we referred to the Additional Support for Learning Bill that the Scottish Executive is currently preparing to introduce to the Scottish Parliament. The team was enthusiastic about its contents, as the Bill gave examples of many factors that may cause barriers to a child's learning.
Recently, as part of the regular review of policies within our nursery, we questioned the term 'special educational needs'. We asked if we were being indirectly discriminate when using it, particularly when a number of children may require support for various reasons - for example, bereavement, moving house, children with named medical conditions, and so on.
During the review we referred to the Additional Support for Learning Bill that the Scottish Executive is currently preparing to introduce to the Scottish Parliament. The team was enthusiastic about its contents, as the Bill gave examples of many factors that may cause barriers to a child's learning.
I hope that the Bill will assist in promoting equal opportunities for all children by providing a more inclusive approach to education, as children may require support during their early years at some time. Such a Bill will promote short-term plans to longer co-ordinated plans to assist in removing barriers to children's learning, from a wider perspective.
A code of practice relating to additional support for learning will most certainly ensure that inter-agencies are working towards the same goals, namely the best quality of inclusive childcare and education for young children and their families.
Julie Masterson
Tree Tops Community Nursery, Port Glasgow
