Assess

Concerns about visual loss can be identified before attending a setting but others can develop as a child gets older and this could be identified when a child is in early years. 

If you are concerned about a child's vision, discuss this with parents and advise that they request a vision test from a local optician. 

When a visual impairment has been identified, a more detailed assessment of the effect the visual impairment is having on learning and access to the nursery curriculum needs to be considered. This could be through observations and assessments in setting and/or collating information from health professionals.

Functional vision assessment is completed by the Specialist Teacher for Visual Impairment who will make recommendations to enable the pupil to have visual access to the nursery curriculum and the environment.

As all children are different, this assessment is crucial to identify the child’s specific needs in order to ensure that the intervention and support is effective.  All visual impairments must be treated on an individual basis as children use their residual vision differently.

The key worker will need to monitor the child's progress and their visual access to the activities and toys on an on-going basis.