Parent partnership

Working in partnership with parents

At Early Years Childcare we believe parents are a child’s first and most enduring educators. We strive to continually work in partnership with parents to have a positive impact on children’s development and learning. The following are some of the ways that we engage with parents:

Settling in sessions

Once a child has a place confirmed at nursery, a number of settling in sessions will be arranged with the management and key person, to ensure that the child has a smooth transition into nursery life. During these sessions you will be required to complete key documentation including medical, feeding and sleep patterns, whilst your child has the opportunity to familiarise himself with the nursery environment and meet some new friends.

‘All about me’

We see babies and young children as individuals, each with a unique profile of abilities and interests. To enable us to focus the nursery experience around your child as they start nursery or move from room to room an ‘All About Me’ document is completed with parents and your child’s key person. This document aids staff in getting to know your child and highlights his favourite activities, personal needs and family relationships.

Parent evenings

We hold parent evenings at our nurseries twice a year, giving you an opportunity to meet with your child’s key staff and to discuss in more detail your child’s development. These evenings also give you the opportunity to socialise with other parents and staff from the nursery.

Nursery events

We regularly hold nursery events from our summer party to Christmas craft evenings; this gives us an opportunity to open up the nursery to children and their families so that you can be more involved in the experience that your child has with us on a day to day basis.

Learning journeys

We aim to support every child with a learning experience that is planned from the child’s starting point with activities that are challenging yet achievable so that they can continue to enjoy learning. Your child’s key person will be sensitive to the individual development of each child to ensure that the activities they undertake are suitable for the stage that they have reached. Practitioners will therefore complete ongoing observational assessment in their Learning Journeys each month to inform planning for each child’s continuing development through play-based activities. The records are shared with parents regularly and include parental involvement at every stage. You can ask to see your child’s Learning Journey at any time.

Don’t forget you can speak to staff in your child’s room, or your Nursery Manager, should you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s time with us.