Settling in Policy
At Comfort Angelz Daycare we aim for children to feel safe, stimulated and happy within the setting
and to feel secure and comfortable with staff. We also want parent’s/carers to have confidence in
both their children’s wellbeing and their role as active partners, with the child being able to benefit
from all that we have to offer. This policy applies to all families whether they are new to the centre
or moving rooms.
We aim to help parents and other carers to help their children settle quickly and easily by giving
consideration to the individual need and circumstances of children and their families. Remember
that children who will ultimately be attending only a few sessions a week can take longer to settle
and need to visit as often as possible. Take into considerationn a house move – talk to the
manager/deputy manager – perhaps the start date will need to be altered to ensure the child is
settled.
The staff at Comfort Angelz Daycarewill work in partnership with parents/carers to settle their
child/ren into the nursery environment by:
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Encouraging the parents/ carers to visit the nursery prior to booking a place. We do not
encourage parents to leave their child in a room whilst looking round because they have
never met us before and at this point we are all strangers.
Checking the information given by parents on their child’s registration form.
Paying particular attention to the ‘all about me’ and ‘all about my child’ forms which all
parents are asked to bring with them when they come to go through their child’s routine.
Also read the similar moving room forms.
Ensuring the chef is aware of any special diet to be followed and parents are reassured as to
how it will be handled.
Providing parents/carers with up to date information on the room, including welcome pack.
Ensuring the new families to the room – including those moving up to the room – are
introduced to the whole team.
When children are collected by parents from outside or soft play, staff from other rooms –
especially the one which the child will next move to – must greet the parents and introduce
themselves.
Proving parents/carers with relevant information regarding the policies and procedures of
our setting.
Planning settling in visits 3 weeks before a child is due to start being left so that there is
plenty of time to work around the needs of the family as well the child’s new room. Parents
are welcome to visit the nursery and stay with their child for as many settling in sessions as
necessary to ensure their child feels secure with their key person. Settling in visits are vital
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to a smooth transition and ensure good communication and information sharing between
staff and parents. It is important to understand that parents are usually worried even if they
might not show it.
We welcome parents/carers need to stay with the child until the key person is comfortable
that they are feeling secure to be left for a few minutes. Initially the parent/carer needs to
stay on the premises. This way the child realises that they will be collected again.
Allocating a key person to each child and their family, before he/she starts to attend. The
key person welcomes and looks after the child and his/her parents/carers during the settling
in period, and throughout their hours at Comfort Angelz Daycare to ensure the family has a
familiar contact person to assist with the settling in process.
Ensuring that the parents/carers are aware of the second key person to their child.
Asking for family photos to make a book for the child at nursery and to add to the family
wall.
Encouraging parents/carers throughout the settling in process, particularly when it seems to
be taking a long time.
Respecting the circumstances of all the families, including those who are unable to stay for
long periods of time in the nursery and reassure them of their child’s progress towards the
settling in.
Children will not be taken to unfamiliar areas of the nursery suddenly, eg, outside or to the
soft play. Pictures will be used to explain the next part of the day.
For parents/carers and children that are struggling to settle in ensure that regular phone
calls are made and spontaneous photos of their child playing to be sent to parent.
Adopted 1/4/14