Settling in Policy
Involvement
This policy was drawn up in consultation with nursery staff and parent/carers at St Marys Nursery School.
Rationale
Settling in is an important stage in the transition between the home and the nursery setting. Care and attention must be given to the individual needs of each child and also the needs of parents/carers when settling into our nursery environment and routine.
Aims
- To offer a warm and welcoming environment where children feel valued, happy and secure.
- To recognise and support the individual needs of children and their parents/carers during the settling in period.
- To work in partnership with parents/carers to settle the child into nursery.
Procedures
As a staff we will:
- Arranges visit(s) to the setting for children and parents/carer prior to the child’s placement commencing.
- Carry out an enrolment process to formally introduce and welcome new children and their parents/carers to the setting.
- Gather information from parents/carers about each child e.g. likes, dislikes, favourite play activities etc.
- Ensure that all children and their parents/carers are personally greeted and welcomed when they arrive.
- On the first day, children will be in for 1 hour and parents/carers will receive an induction. (NB should this time cover snack, Key Workers must check with parents/carers regarding any food allergies before allowing a new child to participate)
- Offer familiar play activities and experiences to promote self confidence and esteem
- Be flexible in response to individual needs e.g. making arrangements for the child to be collected early on the first few days if necessary.
- Deal sensitively with any anxieties children and/or parents/carers may have.
- Invite parents/carers to stay for sufficient time so that the child feels settled and the parent/carer feels comfortable about leaving
- Liaise with parents/carers and share information about the child.
- Consult with parents/carers when developing strategies to help their child settle into nursery.
- Endeavour to keep in contact through telephone, mobile or text messaging offering reassurance to parents of unsettled children
- Staff to take into account parents w犀利士
ishes regarding settling in process - Parents/Carers will be offered the opportunity to have a 1 to 1 chat with their child’s Key Worker approximately 6 weeks after their start date.
*Amendment COVID -19
Parents/Carers are not permitted in the building therefor settling in where necessary with Parent/Carers present will be carried out outdoors with adults socially distancing. Where socially distancing is not possible staff members will wear the required PPE.
Time will be increased as before on an individual basis.
BtA Section 5
Health & Social Care: 1.14, 1.15
HGIOELC:1.1,2.1,2.4,2.6
EDC guidance for reopening ELC phase 3
Health protection Scotland non – health care setting guidance
Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare settings
NHS inform COVID – 19
Health and Social Care Standards
Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
