For many two-year-olds accessing a free entitlement place is the first time they will be parted from their carers. There is a wealth of research which shows that children who are secure and confident at the setting they attend are more likely to do well, achieve and thrive in the future.
Since opening in 2011, the Priory Nursery in Lincoln's Priory Witham Academy has provided free entitlement places for 22 eligible two-year-olds. Ofsted recognised the 'exceptionally well established partnerships with parents' in its February 2012 inspection report. The nursery is clear that partnership working with parents supports children's learning and well-being. It recognises that it is the quality of the key person's relationship with the child and their family which promotes secure attachment. Before a two-year-old takes up a place, the key person meets the child and family through home visits and open days. Parents and practitioners get to know each other and start to form a relationship by working together on an 'all about me book' and by creating a shoe box of 'treasures' from home. The nursery builds on this relationship when the child starts, encouraging daily discussion and information exchange between parents and the key person. Parents are also encouraged to share their unique knowledge and experience with their child's key person through a home-link book.
The key person supports the physical needs of their key group, sharing experiences, helping with nappy changing, toileting, dressing and lunchtimes. They celebrate individual achievements and respond sensitively to children's feelings and behaviours. The items and photos in the shoe box of treasures are used with key groups and individual children to provide reassurance and maintain the link between nursery and home.
The key workers' knowledge of individual children and their key group informs their planning which 'ensures the individual needs of children are identified and addressed in ways that reflect their uniqueness' (Ofsted 2012).
Staffing, environment and rotas to support attachment were a key consideration when setting up the nursery.
In the pre-school room there are three key groups. Two staff members are allocated to each key group to provide consistency.
Holidays and other absences are covered using another two existing and familiar staff members.
The nursery has three early years professionals.
Investment in staff development through HighScope for practitioners, ELKLAN communication training and Every Child a Talker (ECAT) has provided each key person with the skills, knowledge and confidence to support each two-year-old and their families.
Further information
James Hempsall is director of training and research provider Hempsalls (www.hempsalls.com)
