Working in partnership
As each child is unique, we believe that it is essential to work in partnership with parents to maximise the children’s learning and development.
Each child will be allocated a member of staff (key person) who will, prior to the beginning of the placement, discuss with you:
- the physical and emotional needs of your child, to help ensure that his or her care is tailored to meet their individual requirements
- your child’s stage of development across each of the areas of learning
- important people in your child’s life
- a settling-in strategy, to ensure the transition from the home to the nursery environment is a positive experience for both you and your child
- policies and procedures implemented within the nursery, to ensure children’s safety and well-being
- your values and beliefs.
Settling in
We aim to work in partnership with parents to ensure transition periods are as smooth and trouble free for children as possible. Parents/carers are encouraged to help settle their children into the nursery until they are confident with staff and other children.
Key Persons
The key person will regularly meet with you to discuss your child’s progress. We keep records of children’s progress, we use an easy to use online learning journey called famly to record and track children’s progress, which you will be able to access. You will also be able to contribute to learning journals on a regular basis.
We ask you to share your observations of your children while they are at home, so that planning for their interests becomes a two-way process.
Your child’s key person will oversee the settling-in process, and for young babies will, as much as possible, undertake the feeding and changing of your baby to ensure continuity of care in the initial stage.
However, a key person will not have sole responsibility for caring for your child within the nursery and will support your child to form warm, caring attachments with all members of staff and other children.
Progress Feedback Meetings
As well as being able to track their children’s progress on famly, parents have the option of attending progress feedback meetings at the nursery. These meetings are an opportunity for staff and parents to discuss children’s progress and individual needs, and agree the next steps in their learning. If parents would like to attend a meeting, we are flexible in organising days and times to suit their needs.
Local Community
We also work in partnership with the local community, for example by organising regular social events and workshops. Past events for the local community have included planting fruit trees and making Christmas decorations with natural materials at Mother Goose Greendale’s wildlife garden.