SETTLING IN

PROCEDURE

We are determined to do everything we can to make the settling in process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible for the entire family. We are keen to integrate seamlessly into your day to day lives and become part of your extended family.

At Little Angels we understand that starting in the nursery can be a daunting process for everyone involved which is why we are determined to do everything we can to make the process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible for the entire family. We are keen to integrate seamlessly into your day to day lives and become part of your extended family. We pride ourselves on building a meaningful relationship with all of our parents and guardians, which begins by working in partnership throughout the registration and settling in process to establish trust. The first step of this partnership is a home visit for every family that registers with us (should you so wish), which we recommend to schedule prior to the child starting at our nursery. We believe that this enables families to meet members of the nursery staff in the place where they feel most at ease; at home.

AIMS

The primary aim of these visits is to provide an opportunity for the child and family to meet Azi in their own home prior to the child starting at one of our nurseries. This, in turn, helps the child, family and Azi to get to know more about each other in the home environment where the child usually feels most relaxed. Through this, we seek to establish a partnership between parents/guardians and staff members where both parties share their knowledge and understanding of the child to plan to stimulate and challenging learning opportunities as well as planning to meet each child’s individual needs. At Little Angels we recognise that parent or guardians are their children’s first and most enduring educators. Forming relationships with families and working closely is therefore undoubtedly beneficial for each child’s learning and development. During the visit, time is taken to find out about the child’s home environment (such as siblings and pets) likes, dislikes and interests.

RATIONALE

  • To share information between parents/guardians, staff and children. Providing a starting point for staff to understand family backgrounds.
  • Ensures children feel that they are valued and have a familiar face when starting at nursery.
  • To provide an opportunity for parents/guardians to talk about their child and the nursery, to ask questions and lessen any worries parents/guardians may have.

Visits offer families the opportunity to get to know us, ask questions and gather any information needed to support the transition. They also set the foundations for our onward close professional and conducive relations as your family joins our Little Angels extended family.

We pride ourselves on building a meaningful relationship with all of our parents and guardians.

PROCESS

Azi Alamani, the owner and director of Little Angels, carries out the visits, which gives parents and guardians the opportunity to discuss any questions they may have. Parents and guardians and staff arrange the visit at a convenient date and time for both parties and the Little Angels Code of Conduct followed to ensure safe, professional home visits (a copy of which is then held on file).

Visits offer families the opportunity to get to know us, ask questions and gather any information needed to support the transition. They also set the foundations for our onward close professional and conducive relations as your family joins our Little  Angels extended family. During the registration process, parents/guardians complete a questionnaire asking them to comment on their views and feelings about the transition into nursery. This is used to support each family and inform staff of what additional information may be helpful and required at each day throughout the settling in procedure; tailoring our home visits to the individual needs of the family.

Although we recommend having one home visit before each child starts in one of our nursery settings, this is a free optional extra service and it is fair to say that not all parents/guardians will be able to accommodate such an appointment.  We believe that our home visits service is unique within our settling in policy and it is available to all families as we believe it makes settling in a much more seamless experience. We also invite all new parents to use our wide range of extracurricular classes within the 6 months leading up to their official starting date. This allows parents and their children to get to know the setting and team while beginning to build a meaningful relationship with our nursery.  

BENEFITS

Home visits have many benefits for both parent/guardians and staff. For families and children, a visit gives them the opportunity to meet the owner in a safe environment where they feel confident and comfortable. The visit provides the opportunity to:

  • Establish early positive contact
  • Meet the child in their own familiar setting
  • Meet other family members and pets who are close and important in the child’s life
  • Understand the anxieties children may feel when starting nursery, and also understand the wealth of learning that goes on at home.

This all helps our team members who are providing direct care for each child to get a holistic insight into each child’s home life. Our home visit team member is then able to gain lots of information from observing a child where he or she feels settled and in control, which in turn will aid to inform their onward planning in respect of   each and every child.