SCOUT HALL PRE-SCHOOL

SETTLING IN PRE-SCHOOL – PRACTICE AND POLICY

We want children to feel safe, stimulated and happy in the setting and to feel secure and comfortable with staff.
We also want to help parents feel welcome and involved from the beginning, so that they have confidence in
their child’s wellbeing. We aim to make our setting a welcoming place where children settle quickly and easily
because consideration has been given to the individual needs and circumstances of children and their families.

To accomplish this we will:

 Ensure that the Pre-School Manager has communication with prospective parents (either in person or
via email or phone conversation) before a child’s first settling-in visit, to explain admission and settling
in procedures.

 Encourage parents/carers to visit the Pre-School with their children during the weeks before admission
is planned. A staff member, usually the Pre-School Manager, will be available to answer any questions
and provide information both verbally and in writing.

 Allocate a Keyperson to maintain a link between the Pre-School and home through both personal
contact in the Pre-School and shared record keeping. The Keyperson will be responsible for settling the
child into the Pre-school and will work with parents/carers to plan and deliver a personalised plan for
the child’s well-being, care and learning.

 Use settling-in visits to explain our registration form and assist with completion of these records. Before
these visits we will introduce our policies and procedures including Safeguarding and the Prevent Duty
via email and these can be further discussed during the visits as necessary. We will also exchange
information which may affect the child’s ability to settle with us.

 Children learn best when they are happy and relaxed, and have had the opportunity to form a positive
attachment with their named key person. To this end, the Pre-School will offer up to 3 settling-in visits
of up to an hour each, free of charge. After this time a decision will be made as to whether a child is
ready to be left at Pre-School without their parent/carer.

 Expect that a parent/carer will be able to stay for some of each of the three settling in sessions,
gradually increasing their time away from their child when the child can cope with the separation from
their main carer.

 Recognise that a younger child or those who have not previously spent time away from home are likely
to take longer to settle.

 Judge that a child has become settled when they have formed a relationship with their Keyperson who
the child looks for, goes to for comfort and seems pleased to be with. The child will also be familiar with
where things are and be pleased to see other children and participate in some activities.

 Ask parents to say goodbye to their child, explaining they will be back and when, before leaving.

 Ensure that the key person or Pre-School Manager are available at the end of each session to advise
parents of how their child has settled and be able to reassure them that they will be kept informed of
their child’s progress

Scout Hall Preschool Ltd Policy & Procedures – reviewed 21/07/2022

Scout Hall Preschool Ltd Policy & Procedures – reviewed 21/07/2022