Natalie is our setting Special Education Needs Co-Ordinator (SENDCO) and EY ELSA
Amy is the Support SENDCO for the setting
Rach and Becca support SEN within the rooms
Our SENDCO and team is dedicated to ensuring that all children receive the support they need to succeed. By working closely with families, staff, and outside agencies, they help identify and support additional needs early, creating an inclusive environment where every child feels valued, supported, and able to thrive.
What is ELSA?
An Early Years ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) is important because it supports young children’s emotional and social development at a stage when those skills are just beginning to form.
Here’s why it matters:
1. Builds strong emotional foundations
In early childhood, children are still learning to understand feelings like happiness, anger, and sadness. An ELSA helps them recognise, name, and manage emotions, which is key for lifelong mental wellbeing.
2. Supports communication and relationships
Young children often struggle to express themselves or get along with others. ELSA sessions help develop sharing, turn-taking, listening, and empathy, improving friendships and classroom behaviour.
3. Early intervention prevents bigger issues
Addressing emotional or behavioural difficulties early can stop them from becoming more serious later. This links to the idea of early intervention, which shows that support at a young age has the greatest long-term impact.
4. Helps children feel safe and understood
An ELSA provides a trusted adult and safe space where children can talk or play through worries. Feeling secure helps children engage better in learning.
5. Improves readiness to learn
Children who are overwhelmed emotionally often struggle to focus. By supporting emotional regulation, ELSA helps children become calmer, more confident, and ready to learn.
6. Supports children with additional needs
ELSA is especially helpful for children experiencing:
Anxiety or separation difficulties
Behavioural challenges
Family changes (e.g. divorce, bereavement)
Special educational needs
Links you may find useful:
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Local Offer | Live Well Cheshire West
Starting Well :: Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
SEND_Code_of_Practice_January_2015.pdf
The role of the early years SENCO
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