Inclusion in the Early Years

This book provides critical insights and practical approaches to help you support babies and young children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) in the early years. The book starts by briefly considering the current political and legislative context before considering what this means for children with SEND in early years settings. Numerous case studies offer real-world examples to challenge and develop your thinking and there are summary key points, thought provoking questions and ideas for developing practice. In addition the book draws on parents' and children's perspectives to assist you in devising an individual and setting action plan for babies and young children with SEND.Key content includes:

How the principle of the 'unique child' informs practice for all children

Implications of the 2014 Code of Practice for early years provision

What 'good practice' looks like

Early identification and intervention, and engagement with parents

Exploring the role of the SENCO

Keeping families' and children's voices at the heart of all decision making. This is an invaluable book for anyone involved in early years provision who strives to improve their practice to include all children and their families.

Kay Mathieson is an Early Years Consultant and Director at Linden Learning Ltd, UK.

Kay Mathieson is a passionate advocate for making inclusive values the core of high quality early years practice so that every unique child can access their entitlement to support for learning and development. She starts with a fascinating journey through historico-political attitudes to special educational needs and disability. The contemporary case studies bring to life the joys, challenges and dilemmas involved for practitioners, children and parents. Their words alongside Kay's own reflections, knowledge and expertise make this a 'must-read' for all early years leaders and practitioners.

Helen Moylett, President of British Association of Early Education