Partnership with Parents - Children Settling In

Policy statement

We want children to feel safe, stimulated and happy in the setting and to feel secure and comfortable with staff. We also want parents to have confidence in both their children's well being and their role as active partners with the setting.

We aim to make the setting a welcoming place where children settle quickly and easily because consideration has been given to the individual needs and circumstances of children and their families.

EYFS key themes and commitments

Procedures

Two weeks prior to commencing nursery, the child’s parent will be contacted to arrange settling in visits. These visits will be free of charge.

As a matter of policy we encourage parents and children to visit on at least two occasions before the starting date.  For the first visit we suggest staying with your child for two hours, so that you can talk to the staff about routines and anything you want them to know.  For the second visit we suggest trying to leave your child for two hours.  Some children may need more than two visits and if this is the case more can be arranged.

These visits will be at a time when, through building a relationship between staff and parents, the child will begin to settle and form trusting relationships with staff, in particular their key carer.  If appropriate, children will be shown where the toilets are, where to hang their coats and they will be encouraged to join in with the activities.  This is an ideal opportunity to share information about routines at home and comfort objects.

Some children may need longer than 2 settling sessions whilst others will arrive on their first day full of confidence - we will let the child take the lead on how many sessions they need.

Parents are invited to phone at any point during the day to check that all is well.  Progress reports will be offered by the key carer when parents arrive to pick up their child.