Supporting your child with settling in
In order to be able to play, learn and develop your child needs to feel safe, secure and happy with the place he/she is in. Children form attachments to their “known” adults and develop confidence to play and explore. Normally, a pattern is seen in all children, although how long a child spends in each stage varies.
There are ways you can help your child at home – talk to them about starting pre-school and maybe look at some books about starting Pre-school.
Stay and Play
We offer stay and play sessions for new starters before they start preschool. These sessions will allow you and your child to experience the preschool setting before they start. It will be a chance for your child to get used to the building and the staff and also for you to meet other parents. For more information please contact us.
First session
On starting pre-school, if you are able to stay with your child for the first session or just part of that session it will help. You are welcome to stay for as many sessions as you wish. However, should you need to leave straight away, we have strategies to help your child settle. It is important your child knows you have gone. As parents we get very worried if our child has disappeared; small children get equally upset when their adult disappears without their knowledge.
If your child has a ‘comforter’ or something they like to have when upset, please bring it to pre-school. Let staff know what they use when upset. Not every child has a comforter but if they do, it can aid with settling in.
Some children settle straight away, but after a period become unsettled. This is common after illness, change of routine or after a holiday. Let a member of staff know if you think your child may be unsettled that morning. We always let you know if your child has become upset during the session.
You know more about your child than us, by working together we can support you and your child in settling in and having a positive time at pre-school.
Please don’t hesitate to speak to your keyworker, or another member of staff, if you have any questions.