Oct 13, 2023, BBC News: Special educational needs nursery calls for more support https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-67088565.amp
Central England
A nursery has called for more support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Special Steps looks after 20 preschool youngsters in Stourport but said its waiting list was full of parents in need of help.
At the start of term, 56 Worcestershire children missed school due to the lack of provisions for their needs.
The council has been contacted for comment.
Support for SEND children under the age of five offered by Worcestershire County Council is currently under review after it shut nursery assessment units last year.
Parents across the country were taking part in demonstrations on Friday calling on councils and the Government to do more.
"A lot of children here have attended mainstream [nurseries] and haven't coped, it's overstimulating and there's too much sensory input for them," said Becky McClean, 30, the manager of Special Steps….
Elliott's mother says he has reached development milestones since adding the specialist nursery
One of the children that attends is three-year-old Elliot who has global development delay.
Those with the condition may take longer to gain movement, speech and social skills than other children of their age....
While the local authority offers assessment classes for pre-school children, in recent years the offer has been reduced.
Ms McClean said: "Often we're waiting nearly two years to see paediatricians, a lot of the time that's for children with severe complex needs that really need that support.
"The parents really need the diagnosis and the time to come to understand their child and their needs."

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