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Settling In

We want children to feel safe, stimulated and happy in the absence of their parents and to recognise other adults as a source of authority, help, friendship and comfort. Also to be able to share with their parents afterwards the new learning experiences enjoyed within the pre-school. We also want parents to feel welcome and involved from the beginning.

Children cannot play or learn successfully if they are anxious and unhappy. Our settling in procedures aim to help parents and children feel comfortable within the pre-school, to benefit from what it has to offer and to be confident that their parents will return at the end of the session.

In order to accomplish this, we:

Have a clear Admission Procedure and parents are kept informed through out the process. (See Enrolment and Admission Procedure for full details) and encourage parents to visit the pre-school with their children during the weeks before an admission is planned.

Ensure plentiful opportunities for the parents to inform the pre-school about their children's current achievements and interests.

Make clear to families from the outset that they will be supported in the pre-school for as long as it takes to settle their child in.

Introduce new families into the pre-school on a staggered basis.

Encourage parents, where appropriate, to separate from their children for brief periods at first, gradually building up to longer absences.

Allocate a Key Worker to each child with whom the parents can discuss freely and in confidence any issues or concerns they may have.

For families on our waiting list we encourage them to schedule a visit. This enables them to view pre-school life before they are offered a place.

Confidentiality

The right to expect privacy for children, parents and staff including volunteers is expected at all time at pre-school while maintaining a high level of care and education.

Parents and staff are able to share information in confidence and in the knowledge that it will only be used to enhance the welfare of the children.

We keep personal information locked away, but giving parents/staff access to records/files relevant to their child or themselves and we share any personal information discussed between parent and staff with other staff members, only if it has an impact on planning for the individual.

We indicate and include the importance of parent/staff confidentiality in staff induction training and keep secure all information on any child's personal safety and only sharing this on a need-to-know basis with as few people as possible.

We make aware to all students, volunteers and committee members the policy on confidentiality and that they are required to respect it at all times and ensure that the employment of and any issues relating to staff remain confidential to the committee and senior staff members.

The Pre-school invites the local press to cover any events, such as our
Christmas play and any other fund raisers during the year. If any parent does not wish their child to appear in the coverage of such events, then they should inform the supervisor or a member of the committee.
Any objections to the photographing or videoing of event should also be raised with the supervisor or a member of the committee.