Settling In Policy

We want children to feel safe and happy in the absence of their parents, to recognise other adults as a source of authority, help and friendship and to be able to share with their parents afterwards the new learning experiences enjoyed in pre school.
Children cannot play or learn successfully if they are anxious and unhappy. Our settling procedures aim to help parents to help their children to feel comfortable in pre school, to benefit from what it has to offer, and to be confident that their parents will return at the end of the session. This will be achieved by assuring that:


* We encourage parents to visit pre-school with their children during the weeks before admission is planned and to come at different times so children get used to the whole routine of the pre-school.
* During their initial visit, parents complete all necessary forms and fill out an �all about me� form which details their child's personal likes, nicknames and favourite activities. This information is shared with staff members in order to get to know the children well.
* We agree a settling in plan with parents which is written up on the �all about me� information sheet
* We introduce new families into the group on a staggered basis - for example two new children a day for a week rather than ten new children all at once.
* We encourage parents, where appropriate, to separate from their children for brief periods at first gradually building up to longer absences so as to alleviate any unnecessary distress to child and parent/carer.
* We make it clear to families from the outset that they will be supported in pre-school for as long as it takes to settle their child there.
* We reassure parents whose children seem to be taking a long time settling into pre- school.
* We ask new children to arrive later than the other children during the session, so that they will arrive when the play atmosphere is well established.
* Any special comforters i.e. toys, blankets, etc are to be allowed to give added security to the child.
* Contact numbers must be available for the children so that the parents or carers can be contacted if a child refuses to settle and becomes too distressed.
* If a child refuses to settle, rather than continuing to distress the child it may be wise to suggest a breathing space for the child of a few weeks and then try again.
* Our admission procedures are flexible to meet the needs of individual families and children.