The Secret Garden Day Nursery and Pre-School
Key Person Policy
Each child in our setting is assigned a key person, a key person has special responsibilities for working with a small number of children, giving them reassurance to feel safe and cared for and building relationships with their parents/carers. A key person will help your child become familiar with the setting and to feel confident and safe within it. A key person will talk with the child’s parents/carers to make sure that the child’s needs are being met appropriately, and that records of development and progress are shared with parents/carers and other professionals as necessary.
What is a key person’s job role?
Secure attachment;
- A key person helps the child to become familiar with the setting and to feel confident and safe within it.
- A key person develops a genuine bond with children and offers a settled, close relationship
- When children feel happy and secure in this way they are confident to explore and to try out new things
Shared core;
- A key person meets the needs of each child in their care and responds sensitively to their feelings, ideas and behaviour.
- A key person talks to parents/carers to make sure that the child is being cared for appropriately for each family
- A close relationship with a key person does not undermine children’s ties with their own parents/carers.
Independence;
- Children become independent by being able to depend upon adults for reassurance and comfort
- Children’s independence is most obvious when they feel confident and self-assured, such as when they are in their own home with family, or friend’s carers such as a key person.
- Children are likely to be less independent when they are in new situations, such as a new group or when they feel unwell or anxious
Methods:
Each Key Person will be an experienced practitioner. They will be able to effectively observe children, recording and interpreting learning and development as appropriate. A Key Person will be part of the settings planning group, and will be able to work closely with parents and other members of the team.
In order to achieve these aims the Key Person will:
- Be introduced to parents, outlining the responsibility and role involved in the key person duties.
- Work with parents as well as the children, encouraging parents to ask questions and make suggestions.
- Support new families during the registration and settling in process.
- Introduce new families to the setting, explaining the thinking behind activities and equipment, and introducing staff, other children and their parents.
- Keep a watchful eye on their key children providing reassurance to children and their families, discussing and agreeing any changes.
- Assists new children in becoming integrated into the setting, understanding any setting rules and feeling comfortable with the people and activities.
- Encourage parents to take part in activities and the life of the setting.
- Be aware of any changes in the child’s home that may affect their behaviour and needs. Liaising with staff keeping the team informed about any relevant information.
- Carry out regular observations as appropriate, assessing each child’s progress and development.
- Ensure that planning is adjusted to reflect the requirements of individual children.
- Make contact with each child’s parents regularly to ensure that information is shared and the family are aware of what the child has learned / experienced.
- Alongside the designated SENDCO, liaises as necessary, normally in conjunction with parents, with statutory authorities especially for children with special educational needs.
- Promote each child’s rights through equality, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice