Who is who???
Who is who???
Well the very daunting decision has been made and you have found a setting where you feel a little more at ease to leave your precious child… how do you know who is who and if they are safe?
First of all, as you visit a setting or indeed choose one you should have a very clear understanding of the varying roles in a nursery- the manager, the deputy, the administrator and of course the ever so important role of the “key person”.
Within the EYFS (the early years curriculum), there is a specific duty for childcare providers to ensure you have a key contact for your child…
This person is someone who has been meticulously recruited to bring exceptional skills of care, teaching to our children and setting
Your key person is the main contact for you and your child right from day 1- you should always be made aware who this person is, get to meet them and spend time with them- after all you want to know this person knows exactly what they are doing!
This is the idea of gradual admissions also- giving yourself and child ample time to build a relationship of reassurance and trust.
This is a time as well where your child may actually choose their key person themselves- children naturally gravitate towards certain staff- which is fine, it doesn’t mean their bond with other staff will be affected it just means there is something extra special about the person they want to be with.
So lets explore their role in relation to building a good relationship with your child and indeed their other key children…
Where possible you will see or speak to your key person every day- there may be occasions they are unavailable however they will always ensure you have information about your child’s day with them- from the fun outside, to maybe enjoying their lunch needing fresh clothes to the new song we have sang in the day!.
Care needs… changing nappies, clothes and even wiping noses- this is part and parcel of promoting the healthy lifestyle of your child- if they are comfortable, they will feel happier and happiness makes play and teaching so much more fun!
They will keep your child safe and make sure all staff working with your child are aware if they have any dietary requirements or regular medication. They will also let everyone know something about your child that will help in their absence, such as “Freddie has a snuggle blanket for when he is tired” or “Singing 10 green bottles helps at carpet time”.
They will continually talk to your child- it is standard practise that each key child will be greeted by their key person and spoken to every time they are in- it doesn’t matter how small or young they are- facial expressions speak a thousand words and who doesn’t like to be greeted by a smile? In fact you try and find one of our team members who do not greet you this way!
The key person has so much experience in many different subjects in relation to Early Years, they are masters at planning the very best ways to extend a child’s learning, and by observing how your child plays gives a mass of useful prompts for how to give them different opportunities!, such as a child may not like messy hands yet loves the trains… lets drive the trains through the paint today!! combine the 2 and enjoy!
The activities they plan are individual to your child and feel free to ask why they have planned what they have.
A key person is one of, if not the most crucial roles in day care- rest assured your child is in safe hands, they will have access to unlimited cuddles and reassurance that mum/dad come back at the end of the day,
A key person is not a substitute for you- they are simply an addition for your child to learn in a safe and happy environment whilst you feel at ease knowing little Freddie will be excitedly waiting to tell you all about what he has done at nursery today….
Well the very daunting decision has been made and you have found a setting where you feel a little more at ease to leave your precious child… how do you know who is who and if they are safe?
First of all, as you visit a setting or indeed choose one you should have a very clear understanding of the varying roles in a nursery- the manager, the deputy, the administrator and of course the ever so important role of the “key person”.
Within the EYFS (the early years curriculum), there is a specific duty for childcare providers to ensure you have a key contact for your child…
This person is someone who has been meticulously recruited to bring exceptional skills of care, teaching to our children and setting
Your key person is the main contact for you and your child right from day 1- you should always be made aware who this person is, get to meet them and spend time with them- after all you want to know this person knows exactly what they are doing!
This is the idea of gradual admissions also- giving yourself and child ample time to build a relationship of reassurance and trust.
This is a time as well where your child may actually choose their key person themselves- children naturally gravitate towards certain staff- which is fine, it doesn’t mean their bond with other staff will be affected it just means there is something extra special about the person they want to be with.
So lets explore their role in relation to building a good relationship with your child and indeed their other key children…
Where possible you will see or speak to your key person every day- there may be occasions they are unavailable however they will always ensure you have information about your child’s day with them- from the fun outside, to maybe enjoying their lunch needing fresh clothes to the new song we have sang in the day!.
Care needs… changing nappies, clothes and even wiping noses- this is part and parcel of promoting the healthy lifestyle of your child- if they are comfortable, they will feel happier and happiness makes play and teaching so much more fun!
They will keep your child safe and make sure all staff working with your child are aware if they have any dietary requirements or regular medication. They will also let everyone know something about your child that will help in their absence, such as “Freddie has a snuggle blanket for when he is tired” or “Singing 10 green bottles helps at carpet time”.
They will continually talk to your child- it is standard practise that each key child will be greeted by their key person and spoken to every time they are in- it doesn’t matter how small or young they are- facial expressions speak a thousand words and who doesn’t like to be greeted by a smile? In fact you try and find one of our team members who do not greet you this way!
The key person has so much experience in many different subjects in relation to Early Years, they are masters at planning the very best ways to extend a child’s learning, and by observing how your child plays gives a mass of useful prompts for how to give them different opportunities!, such as a child may not like messy hands yet loves the trains… lets drive the trains through the paint today!! combine the 2 and enjoy!
The activities they plan are individual to your child and feel free to ask why they have planned what they have.
A key person is one of, if not the most crucial roles in day care- rest assured your child is in safe hands, they will have access to unlimited cuddles and reassurance that mum/dad come back at the end of the day,
A key person is not a substitute for you- they are simply an addition for your child to learn in a safe and happy environment whilst you feel at ease knowing little Freddie will be excitedly waiting to tell you all about what he has done at nursery today….