We recognise that each child, parent, and nursery relationship is unique, and we use our experience to support everyone in making that transition into nursery life as smooth as possible.
Settling in sessions
Gradual steps – settling-in sessions
Your child’s settling-in sessions are arranged on a case-by-case basis, depending on their individual needs and how they adjust to the nursery environment. Children will have as many sessions as they need to feel confident, comfortable, and happy.
Prior to Settling
You will receive a pack through the post approximately a week before your first session. We ask that all paperwork is completed and brought along to the nursery. This ensures more time is spent focusing on your child rather than completing forms. The staff will also review the paperwork with you.
You will receive your Famly login email and a message from your child’s new key person introducing themselves.
Settling-in Sessions
During the sessions, your child will gradually explore the nursery, take part in activities of interest, and meet their peers. You may stay with your child at the start, and over time, they will be supported to spend time independently in the nursery as they feel ready.
The length, timing, and structure of the sessions are personalised for each child. Your key person will work with you to plan what works best and will complete a report after each session to track progress and plan ongoing support.
Strong relationships – Your Key Person
Our experience has shown that having a Key Person for your child is the most effective way of ensuring that children develop a strong relationship with a significant adult in the nursery, giving every child the reassurance to feel secure, familiar, and confident in the nursery environment.
At Woodford your child’s Key person will:
- Be assigned to your child on their first settling-in session, getting to know the child and family well in order to form strong relationships to support emotional needs.
- Be with your child at every settling-in session in order to make the handover as smooth as possible, providing essential consistency for you and your child.
- Ensure they have all of the information about your child and share this with other staff so that your child’s individual needs are cared for throughout each and every day.
- Carry out assessments and plan for your child’s development, ensuring they are always challenged and supported to reach their full potential.
- Prepare a report every 6 weeks to ensure you are kept up to date with all of the information about your child and their development.
