A Practical Guide to Pre-school Inclusion

Chris Dukes is a qualified teacher with over 20 years’ experience. She has worked in various London primary schools as a class teacher and also as a member of the Senior Management Team. Chris has a Master’s degree in Special Needs and through her later role as a Special Needs Co-ordinator and Support Teacher, many years’ experience of working with children with additional needs. Chris has worked closely, mentoring, advising and supervising staff teams to work with young children as well as with other education and health professionals. She currently works part time as an Area SENCO supporting Special Needs Co-ordinators and managers in a range of early year’s settings. Chris is also one half of ‘earlymatters’ training and consultancy, is co-author of the Hands on Guides series of books and writes for various early years’ publications. Maggie Smith began her career as a nursery teacher in Birmingham. She has worked as a peripatetic teacher for an under-5’s EAL Team and went on to become the Foundation Stage manager of an Early Years Unit in inner London. Maggie helped to set up an innovative unit for young children with behavioural difficulties and has also worked supporting families of children with special needs. She has taught on Early Years BTEC and CACHE courses at a college of higher education. Maggie currently works part time as an Area SENCO supporting Special Needs Co-ordinators and managers in a range of early year’s settings. She is also one half of ‘earlymatters’ training and consultancy, is co-author of the Hands on Guides series of books and writes for various early years’ publications.

′Any setting will find this a useful, informative and accessible book′- Early Years Update′ I really enjoyed reviewing this book and will find it an excellent resource to share with the childminders with whom I work. I feel that it would benefit early years practitioners from all settings and would be a useful tool for tutors and students working at all levels′- National Childmining Association′The straight forward step-by-step practical advice and guidance in this essential guide really helps to demystify exactly what is meant by inclusion . It is a vital and essential read for all those working with the 0-5 age range. It is an easy read that will leave you feeling more confident and well-informed about your role and it empowers you to help children with difficulties that you may have been reluctant to include in your setting′-Early Years Educator′I really liked the way the book is set out with hands-on activities, checklists, discussion points and further reading after each chapter...[it] is full of brilliant suggestions and practical ideas to ensure all children can play and learn together...I will be recommending this book to early years practitioners and colleagues′-Nursery World′A useful and informative book, written in a style that is easily understood and accessible to practitioners at different levels. I found the case studies and activities within the book helpful to practitioners in evaluating their own practice, and its references to further sources of support will be invaluable to the busy childcare professionals of today′ - Natalie Chaplin, Head of Care, Education & Public Services, Suffolk College

• IntroductionInclusion: What It Is and Why It′s Good News For Everyone.The Legislation: What It Means For YouThe Setting: Creating an Inclusive EnvironmentPlay and Learning: Creating Inclusive Play OpportunitiesMaking It Happen: Working With Individual Children and Parents.AppendixSample Admissions Policy Contacts, Training and Resources