Rebecca Haywood, the Deputy Manager at Gelston Manor Day Nursery in Chorley, decided to boost her skills and confidence in SEN by enrolling in the SEN Coordinator Skills Bootcamp (SENCO) programme. Her goal was to work towards becoming the nursery’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).
Challenges before the course
Before enrolling, Rebecca was the Deputy Manager, however, when the setting’s SENCO lead left, it created a need for someone with more experience.
“I took this course to progress my career as it aligns with my professional goals of becoming the settings SENCO. Gaining knowledge and skills from the SENCO bootcamp has not only enhance my ability to support children with special educational needs but also prepare me for future leadership roles within the nursery.”
Career progression and confidence
Talking about the career progression that this course offers, Rebecca said,
“the course provides practical strategies that I can implement immediately in my work environment, ultimately benefiting the children I care for and the wider team.”
Putting learning into practice
After her first day of learning, Rebecca was excited to put her new skills into practice and shared ways in which she’ll implement what she learnt.
“I plan to use the ShREC approach during our daily activities. By incorporating visual aids and prompts in circle time and play, I hope to get the children talking and engaging more with each other.
I also found the sessions on managing tough conversations with parents really helpful. I learned to approach these talks with empathy and good listening. I plan to prepare for these conversations by finding the right time and place, like scheduling a quiet meeting instead of chatting during drop-off.”
Impact of the course
Rebecca credits the SENCO Skills Bootcamp for teaching her useful information.
“As a SENCO, this training is crucial for understanding effective strategies and frameworks to create tailored support plans. Without it, I would struggle to advocate for children’s needs, navigate complex situations, and implement best practices in my role. My ability to collaborate with parents and staff to foster an inclusive environment would be significantly hindered, impacting the overall well-being and development of the children I aim to support.”
Ready to follow in Rebecca's footsteps?
Find out more about the SEN Coordinator Skills Bootcamp (SENCO) programme