Settling in policy

2. Settling-in policy Statement of intent Polstead Playgroup aims for children to feel safe, stimulated and happy in the setting and to feel secure and comfortable with staff. We also want parents to have confidence in both their children's well being and their role as active partners with the setting. Aim We aim to enable children to feel happy and safe 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 the playgroup. We aim to make the setting a welcoming place where children settle quickly and easily because consideration has been given to the individual needs and circumstances of children and their families. In order to accomplish this: Before a child starts to attend the setting, we use a variety of ways to provide his/her parents with information. Families are invited to attend the Playgroup for a mornings visit, where they can take part in a mornings sessions. They will also be provided with written information (including our prospectus and policies) and be able to view displays about activities available within the setting. During the term before a child is enrolled, we provide opportunities for the child and his/her parents to visit the setting. Introduce new families on a staggered basis if there are more than four new children at a session. We allocate a key person to each child and his/her family before she/he starts to attend; the key person welcomes and looks after the child and his/her parents at the child's first session and during the settling-in process. We use the first session at which a child attends to explain and complete with his/her parents the child's Entry Profile records. When a child starts to attend, we explain the process of settling-in with his/her parents and jointly decide on the best way to help the child to settle into the setting. We have an expectation that the parent, carer or close relative, will stay for most of the session during the first week, gradually taking time away from their child, increasing this as and when the child is able to cope. When parents leave, we ask them to say goodbye to their child and explain that they will be coming back, and when. Younger children may take longer to settle in, as will children who have not previously spent time away from home. Children who have had a period of absence may also need their parent to be on hand to re-settle them. We judge a child to be settled when they have formed a relationship with their key person; for example the child looks for the key person when he/she arrives, goes to them for comfort, and seems pleased to be with them. The child is also familiar with where things are and is pleased to see other children and participate in activities. We do not believe that leaving a child to cry will help them to settle any quicker. We believe that a child's distress will prevent them from learning and gaining the best from setting. This policy was adopted at a meeting of Held on Signed on behalf of the Management Committee Role of Signatory