Ava's first day
Ava, who lives with her mother Molly, attends a small local nursery for two and half days a week. As part of the settling-in process, she and her mother had visited the setting several times so that they were able to begin building a relationship with Ava's appointed key person, Claire. This familiarity meant that Claire could tune in quickly to Ava's needs on her first day.
Despite being familiar with the setting, Ava was hesitant and uncertain when she arrived on the first day and looked to her mother for reassurance.
Claire stayed close by and talked to both of them. She then got down to Ava's level and talked to her, gently welcoming and encouraging her.
Sensing Ava's anxiety, Claire continued to talk to her in a soothing way and got her attention. Claire was aware that Ava loved her food, so used the lunch bag to engage her in conversation. Ava became more animated and talked about the food in her bag.
As Molly left, Claire lifted Ava up so she could watch through the window as her mother waved goodbye. Claire encouraged Ava to blow her mother a kiss and reassured her that mother would return. Ava was able to smile happily through the window at Molly.
As Ava's secure base in the nursery, Claire was available to her throughout the session, remaining sensitive to her needs and motivations. She let Ava take her own time settling in and didn't make her join in with the group activity. She observed her play, helped her interact with other children and had lots to tell Molly on her return.
Claire reassured Molly that Ava had coped well with the session, which helped the transition for both mother and child, from nursery to home, at the end of the day.
Helping Children Settle
1 Starting daycare can be a difficult time for a young child, but practitioners can ease the settling-in process by providing the child with:
Time Schedule accompanied visits, arrange for key people to visit the child at home and avoid hurrying or pressurizing a child into settling. Joining in with activities or interacting with others at the setting needs to be done according to the child’s timescale.
Flexibility Offer a flexible set-up that allows 'settling' children to follow their own motivations rather than rigid routines, such as carpet times, registrations and group activities.
Key people Assign one or two practitioners to the child and their parents, not just for administrative purposes
and record-keeping, but also to be available to the family as much as possible, so that family and practitioners can build a strong relationship and attachment. A key person is soon able to tune into a child’s needs and be the bridge between home and the setting...
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