Settling In Policy

In order to help children settle comfortably, we use the following procedure:

Before a child starts to attend the setting, we use a variety of ways to provide parents with information. This includes our policies, website and an in-depth viewing of the nursery. We also request parents/carers provide us with a happy photo of the child and family photos, so family books and coat peg/registration badges can be prepared before the child starts.

We allocate a key person to each child before the settling in process to welcome the child to nursery.

Parents are advised to arrange times for a settling-in visit when the child is normally at their most content, i.e., not hungry or in need of a sleep. Whilst parents are welcome to stay for these sessions, we normally recommend that they do leave the child for a short period on the child’s second session. The room leader/key person can discuss with parents how this will be arranged so it is the least distressing to child and parent. They will ensure they know how to settle the child if he/she becomes distressed. Parents will be contacted immediately if staff are unsuccessful at settling a child and other strategies will be tried.

Children may bring in a comfort object (clearly labelled with their name) if it will enable them to settle.

Some children take longer to settle. This can be for a variety of reasons; maybe they have not been left before or have had an unhappy previous experience when parted from their main carers. The key person will work with the parents to try different settling techniques. These might include leaving items of clothing that smell of a main carer, photographs of their family, using key words in the child’s home language.

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 some 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.

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.

When parents leave, we ask them to say goodbye to their child and explain what time they will return.