Settling In

 

When your child is offered a place at Playhouse, you will receive an 'Offer Letter', 2 settling sessions and a start date. All children are offered a home visit and the benefit of these visits are outlined in the offer letter. All settling sessions are free of charge and a brief description of each one is detailed below. 

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1st Settling session

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This is a free one hour session and parents/carers are required to stay for the session. Your child's keyworker will show you around the setting, ensure all paperwork is completed and get to know you and your child. 

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2nd Settling Session

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This is a free one hour session where the child stays without their parent/carer. 

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Further one hour settling sessions can be arranged if you and your child's keyworker feels they would be beneficial. 

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Start date

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On this date, the child starts their usual sessions. 

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If your child is upset when you leave we will comfort and occupy them, if they are ok and settled into the group we will contact you if you have requested that we do so, if they are still upset after 15-20 minutes we will contact you to inform you.  A variety of options may then be offered at this stage:

 

• The parent/carer may return and stay for the remainder of the session. If the child is very upset you may wish to take the child home.

• We can continue to try and settle the child, and will contact you in 15 minutes to review the situation.

 

All of these options will be discussed with yourself and the key person before you leave your child in our care, to ensure you are happy and content with the settling in process.

 

You are welcome to contact us by phone during the session if you are concerned about your child – 07875259692.

Once your child has started, we have found through experience that staying only prolongs the difficulty of parting. The best policy is usually to say ‘goodbye’ and leave. We will work together to settle your child in and if necessary, you will be more than welcome to stay with your child until everyone is happy that they are ready to be left. 

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We have no policy on how often a child should attend pre-school per week. However, through experience the staff recommend a minimum of 2 sessions on 2 separate days as the more they attend each week, the quicker the children settle into the environment and become familiar with the staff, make friends and become accustomed to the routine.

 

Part of the settling in process involves the opportunity to arrange a meeting with your child’s key person, within 2 weeks of starting. This gives the Key Person the chance to get to know you and your child even more, and a chance to chat about any concerns or questions you may have.

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