Settling In Process
Hello there...
At Rotherfield Village Pre-School, we are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers to help each child settle confidently into our setting. Our goal is to ensure that every child feels safe, secure, and comfortable with both the staff and their new environment.
We recognise that each child and family is unique, and we strive to meet individual needs during this important transition. We aim to give parents the confidence and reassurance that their child is being cared for and supported.
A key person will be assigned to each child based on the sessions they are enrolled in. Families will be invited to attend stay-and-play sessions, offering an opportunity to meet staff, become familiar with the setting, and complete any outstanding enrolment paperwork. During a child’s first session, they will be introduced to staff members and other children, and shown around the setting to help them begin to feel at home.
Parents and carers will be encouraged to say goodbye to their child, if both the child and parent feel comfortable, and to explain that they will return at the end of the session. We understand that each child settles at their own pace. While some children may adjust quickly, others may need more time, and a child who appears settled initially may still need additional support. Our practitioners take time to get to know each child, observing their behaviours, interests, and developmental stage while maintaining regular communication with parents.
Parents will be kept fully informed of their child's progress and will be notified in advance if we believe the settling-in period needs to be extended. Within the first six weeks, the key person will use the knowledge gathered from parents and their own observations to complete an early assessment of the child's development and learning goals.