This highly popular and accessible text contains a wealth of information about how early years staff can work effectively with professionals and parents to help identify and meet a range of special educational needs. This book aims to explore the most effective ways of supporting the child and implementing that support across the child's day to day life. Now in its third edition Special Needs in the Early Years is fully updated to reflect current policy, and topics covered include: Early identification Effective communication with parents and carers An exploration of the legal context How to implement joint planning for identified needs A consideration of the issues affecting collaboration With case-studies, checklists, suggestions for good practice and cartoons to illustrate and enrich the text throughout, this book is structured to be easily accessible and invaluable for those who are in training to work in the early years sector. It will also be of interest to students on foundation and undergraduate students on Early Childhood Education and childcare courses as well as more experienced practitioners.