SEND in Education
Questions to Ask Post-16 Settings
Discover key questions to ask when visiting post-16 settings for a young person with SEND.
Information & advice
Questions to ask a nursery or preschool
Choosing the right nursery or early years setting for a child with SEND is an important step, as the environment they start in can have a big impact on how they settle and thrive.
This guide gives parents key questions to ask when visiting nurseries and early years providers to help find a setting that best supports their child’s needs.
Choosing the right nursery or preschool can feel like a huge step, especially when your child has additional needs. You want to know they’ll be supported, understood, and welcomed for exactly who they are. Every child deserves to feel safe, included, and valued – and as a parent or carer, it’s natural to want reassurance that the setting can meet your child’s needs.
To support you, we’ve put together some key questions to ask to help you find a setting that celebrates and nurtures them.
General feel and environment
- Does the space feel calm, welcoming, and safe?
- Is there a quiet space or sensory area for children who get overwhelmed? Ask if this space is available at all times, not just during set activities.
- What does a typical day look like?
- Are there opportunities for outdoor play, and is this area accessible and inclusive?
Staff and SEND support
- Do you have a named SENDCO (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator)?
- What’s the keyworker to child ratio?
Communication with families
- How do you share updates or progress with parents and carers?
- Can we have regular check-ins or meetings about my child’s progress?
- How do you handle concerns or issues if a parent raises them?
Behaviour and emotional support
- How do you support children who find routines tricky?
- Are you able to personalise calming strategies for individual children?
- How do you support children in developing social skills and friendships?
- What is your approach to incidents of challenging behaviour?
Transition and next steps
- How do you support children when they first start at nursery?
- Do you offer settling-in sessions or a gradual start?
- Can parents stay for initial sessions if needed?
- What do you do to support children as they move on to primary school?
- How do you work with other professionals involved in my child’s care?
- If my child has or needs an EHCP, how will you support that process?