Your child's Key Person in our nursery

If your child started with us this September, you should now have met your child’s key person here at Sunny Days.

In the next few weeks, we will be having a parents meeting where you can catch up with our staff members and ask any questions you may have.

We have summarised some information about what a Key Person is and how they can support your child’s journey through the setting.

The key person is a named person who has responsibility in a setting for working with you and meeting your child’s individual needs. The importance of the key person is highlighted in childcare policy in England and Wales.

The key person will get to know you and your child really well, finding out about your child’s preferences and routines and will be the person who shares information with you about what your child has done during the session and information about their learning and development.

The key person’s role is important. Research and evidence show that children thrive when their needs are met by special people who they know, trust and respect. Familiarity, pattern and predictability support children’s personal development and helps them understand who they are and what they can do. Children can concentrate and learn more effectively if they’re not under stress or pressure, so having a key person who is attentive and knows the child well will support children in their personal, social and emotional development.

Children learn by observing and being with others. The key person is an important role model for the child who they can relate to and rely on. The key person observes your child to identify how they learn through their play, their next aspect of development, what their interests are and whether there is any cause for concern or need for extra support. They will share this information with you, working with you to formulate a plan of support. The key person supports physical needs too, helping with issues like nappy changing, toileting and dressing.

The key person works alongside parents and carers to ensure that there is continuity of care for the child thus supporting the child’s emotional well-being. The key person will want you to share information about your child - the more you can tell them the better the relationship they will be able to form with your child and plan how to meet their needs. Please use the Nursery In A Box App to help with this.

The key person is someone you can talk to about any concerns, they will know your child well and will be able to provide advice and support with all aspects of learning and development. You should be offered regular times to talk to your child’s key person and look at their child’s learning and development records. What can you do to support your child?

• Talk to your child about their key person so that they know they can go to them for help. Keep the key person updated with any changes in routines or changes in your child’s home life, for example, if you are moving house or expecting a sibling, as your child’s key person will be able to support your child through transition times.
• Share any new interests your child may have or special experiences they may have taken part in as their key person will be able to follow up on these in the setting.
• Tell your child’s key person about any ‘wow’ moments your child has had at home and when they meet developmental milestones. Together you can celebrate your child’s achievements and plan suitable next steps to support them.