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Settling In Policy

The purpose of this policy is to help parents and children have as good an experience as possible when a child starts nursery and moves rooms by promoting a secure relationship between nursery and home

  1. We do not believe it is appropriate for children to be at nursery for long periods if they are distressed. Settling in to nursery can take time for some children, especially if combined with other changes such as moving house or a parent going back to work. Therefore, parents must plan for a settling in period before they start work.
  1. All children must have a month’s settling in period prior to their arranged fixed hours. This can initially include 2\3 short visits with a parent staying with the child for a short period initially if so desired.
  1. The settling in sessions can be flexible with arranged hours that suit the parent, child and nursery routine and with regard to other children settling in. It is preferable to only have one child settling in for each room at one time. Settling in sessions should always be consistent without a break. It is beneficial to a child if families can try and avoid taking a holiday while they are settling in, and when a child first starts their full hours, as any break can be disruptive.
  2. We send out our guide “Supporting your baby to settle at nursery” (folder 11.9) to all parents of babies when we contact them to book in settling in sessions.
  1. Times must be arranged between the Nursery Manager, Babyroom Manager/Room Leader and parent/carer.
  1. The first session must be 1 hour maximum with flexibility e.g. am or pm.
  1. The first few settling in sessions must be play based and not a time that covers snack and lunchtime as this can be an intimidating experience for a young child if they are not used to it.
  1. We recommend that sessions are kept “little and often” so that there is continuity for the child. If sessions are too long the child will become anxious.
  1. Hours should be increased gradually, until the child is ready to attend for their arranged fixed hours. The room leader will discuss this gradual increase for each child on a daily basis. If a child is not settled, we may need to delay the official start date until the child is ready to attend for their full booked hours. This decision will be made in partnership with parents, on the basis of what is best for each child.
  1. We will try to arrange that the child spends as much time as possible with the same practitioner.

PARENT INDUCTION MEETING

  1. While the child is having their first or second settling in session the Manager will have a Parent Induction meeting. This is an opportunity for the Manager to get to know the family and for the family to understand more about what we do at nursery and why. Additional information is captured on a Parent Induction Checklist (folder 11.6).
  1. The meeting will involve managers collecting and discussing all necessary forms especially the Health and Permissions and Collection, Contacts and Medical Details forms. These forms must be completed and returned before a child can be left at nursery.
  1. The meeting will also involve the manager and parents discussing what is on the All About Me form; getting to know the family and child(ren); explaining the EYFS and use of ParentZone; discussing nursery ethos such as the Illness and Medication Policy, challenging play; meals and use of garden and explaining what we like parents to share with us (WOW stickers, photos, comments on ParentZone etc) and why.

PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS

  1. It is helpful if parents can prepare their child for nursery (as is age appropriate) by talking to them about it, reading books and being positive about this change. When dropping off and collecting, parents should try and remain positive in front of their children as any negativity can affect how a child feels about nursery. Staff should enable parents to discuss any concerns or difficulties away from the children.
  1. We recognise some parents will find it difficult to leave when their child is upset. Staff must be sensitive to this. To make the settling in process as easy as possible staff will:
  • Give the parent/carer as much reassurance as possible – we do not believe it is helpful or healthy for children to remain at nursery when distressed so will call the parents after a short period if the child has not settled.
  • Provide information about what the child has done and evidence that the child has enjoyed their visit, such as photographs, video clips and artwork they have made.
  • Be clear that we will let them know immediately if we think the child needs to go home.
  • Suggest they telephone after a short time for an update on how their child is.

STRATEGIES WHEN A CHILD IS NOT SETTLING

  1. We use a variety of strategies to help children settle. This will depend on each child and family. Examples are:
  1. Me Box – children are given a Me Box to take home and fill with five special things from home. They then share them at circle time to help bridge the gap between home and nursery.
  1. Comforters – parents are encouraged to bring in any comforters (eg, cuddly toys) that might help their child settle. However, once the child has settled, we will encourage them to put any comforters in a special place while they are at nursery as they can disrupt how they play and interact with other children.
  1. Stay and play – parents can stay and play with their child at nursery to help them feel safe in the room. Parents can then gradually increase the amount of time they are out of the room or are sitting to the side of the room watching. This will not work for every family as many children would find it confusing if a parent stayed at first but then left.
  1. Family photos – children can bring in photos of family members to discuss with practitioners. This reminder of home can bring security for some children, and it helps them to talk about their family with people at nursery.
  1. Home visits – if a child is struggling to settle, if the manager thinks it would be suitable or if the family request, we can arrange a home visit. This would be the manager and room leader and would follow our Home Visits Code of Practice (Appendix 1).
  1. Every child is different and settling in with some children may take longer. Staff will communicate constantly with parents over how their child is settling and any issues. If a child is really struggling, we like parents to attend a meeting with the room leader or manager to discuss the best strategies.
  1. If the child is not ready to start their registered hours the practitioner and parent will discuss more settling in sessions until the child is ready.
  1. We do not encourage use of dummies. This is because it inhibits a child’s ability to communicate, including young babies. Much research has been done about the effect of dummies on speech and we can signpost parents to articles, if interested. Using a dummy also affects their play as they are not able to interact with other children. We will work with parents to help them discourage unnecessary dummy use.
  1. Once children have settled, we ask that they do not bring toys into nursery as they are easily lost which causes distress.
  1. If children become unsettled at nursery, for example due to a home move, new sibling or when they transition to a new room, we would suggest they take home a Me Box to bring in special things from home as reassurance.

TRANSITION

  1. By transition we mean when a child moves between rooms or to school. Children will move up to a new room when it is appropriate for them, using their age as a general guide.
  1. Room leaders discuss children at regular Room Leader meetings to determine when children are ready to move rooms and whether they will need any additional support. Parents will be informed when their child is moving to a new room and introduced to new room staff.
  1. If families are taking holiday during transition times it is beneficial for staff and parents to discuss this so that a child can spend additional time in their new room if required.
  1. Children will move rooms around their birthday when their key person believes they are ready.
  1. Room leaders will discuss each child and decide when they will transition. They will plan a settling in schedule, to suit the needs of each child, and the needs of the nursery, which they will share with parents.
  1. Before the transition date, children will spend short periods in their new room, with their current Key Person if necessary, until they feel settled. All parents will be told a date from when their child should be dropped off and collected from the new room. All children will transition on the set dates unless a child needs additional support.

Paperwork process for all ages

  1. Staff must ensure that parents are clearly informed about what is happening and why.
  1. When a child transitions between rooms we will:
  • Email or hand out a transition letter with details about the new room and what is needed. The date of the transition and any settling in schedule is in the covering email. A new “all about me form” is also emailed or handed out.
  • Complete a staff to staff transition form.
  • Send a “moment” through iConnect with a photo of the Key Person.
  1. If children move to another setting, we will provide information about that child eg. an All about Me form, a transition report or a Planning and Sequencing report.
  2. When children move to school our staff liaise with school teachers to share all that they know about each child to make transition to school as easy as possible. Staff will follow local authority procedures which may include preparing a report, completing any local authority forms, attending transition meetings and meeting with teachers, often in the nursery. We also create boards about new schools with photographs of teachers and do activities to help prepare the children .

Appendix 1

Home Visits – Code of Conduct

      1. Home visits are used when a child is struggling to settle at nursery or if requested by a family.
      1. The purpose of the home visit is for staff to get to know the child and the family in the child’s own environment, and for the child to see the nursery staff somewhere they feel safe.
      1. Strategies to help the child settle will be discussed.
      1. Staff will never attend home visits alone. Staff attending will usually be the manager and room leader. The staff will stay together during the home visit and would not expect to be left alone with the child during the visit.
      1. Staff will inform Head Office when they are doing a home visit (if the manager is attending) and provide any necessary contact details.
      1. If appropriate, the Parent Induction session can take place during this home visit.
      1. Home visits will last for approximately half an hour.
      1. Staff will follow the Confidentiality and Safeguarding Policies.
      1. Staff will not take their own mobile phones into a family’s home. Staff can take the nursery mobile phone which will be checked by a senior member of staff on return.
      1. Staff will be conscious of the fact that they are guests in the family’s home and will treat all families with a high level of respect and regard during the visit.
      1. Staff will make their own way to and from the family’s home and will be reimbursed for petrol or a bus fare.