Supporting a child with complex medical needs
Little
Deers Childcare has been supporting T since they began attending our setting in
September 2025.
In
April 2025, T’s parents visited the setting for an initial viewing. During this
visit, they openly shared details of T’s complex medical needs and the
potential support required. Although T was unable to attend immediately, due to
ongoing medical appointments, regular communication between the parents and
management continued throughout this period.
It
was agreed that September 2025 would be the appropriate time for T to take this
important next step and begin attending our preschool room. Prior to T
starting, several planning meetings took place to ensure a full understanding
of their medical needs. This enabled us to complete a detailed risk assessment
and ensure that all staff working closely with T were fully aware of the risks
and the procedures that needed to be followed.
We
liaised with the Health Visitor and received supporting letters from medical
consultants, who also contributed to the risk assessment process. A key outcome
of this assessment was the requirement for 1:1 staff support at all times, as
any falls or bumps could result in the need for emergency medical treatment. To
ensure T’s safety within the setting, we applied for Exceptional Needs Funding.
Close supervision was essential during both indoor and outdoor play, and all
equipment was carefully assessed to ensure it was suitable and safe, given that
even a minor trip or fall could result in a medical emergency.
Following
the Christmas period, we were informed that T could no longer attend the
setting, due to being immunosuppressed, meaning the risk of infection was too
high. We contacted the Early Years, Childcare and School Readiness Service, who
agreed to retain some funding for the setting despite T not attending. This
allowed us to keep T’s place open and continue providing home learning activity
packs.
We
were extremely grateful for this support, as we could clearly see the positive
impact the home learning activities had on T and their family. We were keen to
ensure T did not miss out on the experiences they had already begun to enjoy —
including building confidence in a new environment, forming early friendships,
and developing relationships with staff. T’s key worker prepared weekly
activity packs for home use. The family kindly shared photographs of T engaging
in these activities, which we shared with their peers to see. The children were
excited each week to see what T had been doing. In addition, Little Deers
shared photos on the setting’s newsfeed showing peers completing the same
activities, helping T to feel included and remain a valued part of the setting
community.
T
continues to collect their weekly pack with a huge smile and returns completed
activities promptly. T’s mum has expressed her gratitude for the continued
funding and ongoing support. We are also delighted to see T’s development and
growing confidence continue, despite the challenges faced.
We
remain hopeful that in the coming months, T may be able to re-engage with the
setting through short visits or walks, allowing a gradual and safe transition
back into the environment, when appropriate.
