“Big Memories For Little People”
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Playhouse Preschool
Settling In at Playhouse Preschool
Starting pre-school is an important milestone for children and their families. At Playhouse Pre-School Broadwater, we want every child to feel safe, secure, welcomed and happy as they begin their journey with us.
We recognise that every child is different. Some children settle quickly, while others need more time, reassurance and support to feel comfortable in a new environment. We work closely with parents and carers to make the transition into pre-school as positive and reassuring as possible.
When your child is offered a place at Playhouse, you will receive an offer letter outlining the next steps, including your child's settling-in sessions and start date. We also offer a home visit, which provides an opportunity for your child to meet their key person in a familiar environment. Further information about home visits will be included in your offer letter.
All settling-in sessions are free of charge.
Settling-In Sessions
The number and arrangement of settling-in sessions depend on your child's age and individual needs.
Caterpillar Room – Children Aged 9 Months to 2 Years
We recognise that babies and younger children need time to develop secure relationships with their new carers and become familiar with their surroundings.
We offer three one-hour settling-in sessions:
First settling-in session – Parent or carer stays
You and your child attend a one-hour session together. Your child's key person will welcome you, show you around the room, explain our routines and help you complete any outstanding paperwork. This is an opportunity for your child to begin exploring the environment with you close by, while their key person starts to get to know you both.
Second settling-in session – A gentle introduction to separation
You and your child attend another one-hour session. Your key person will support your child to explore and interact with the practitioners and other children. After approximately 20 minutes, you will be invited to leave the room or building, depending on the arrangements agreed with your key person. Your child will remain with their familiarising practitioner while we help them become more comfortable with the separation.
Third settling-in session – Building confidence
You and your child attend a further one-hour session. After approximately 10 minutes, you will be invited to leave the room or building, as agreed with your key person. This provides another opportunity for your child to experience being cared for by their practitioners while continuing to build trust and familiarity.
Butterfly Room – Children Aged 2 to 4 Years
We offer two one-hour settling-in sessions:
First settling-in session – Parent or carer stays
You and your child attend a one-hour session together. Your child's key person will welcome you, show you around the room, explain our routines and help you complete any outstanding paperwork. Your child can explore the activities and resources with your reassurance and support.
Second settling-in session – Child attends independently
Your child attends a one-hour session without their parent or carer. This gives them an opportunity to become familiar with their key person, the other children and the activities available, while beginning to develop their confidence and independence within the setting.
Additional settling-in sessions
Every child is different, and some may benefit from further settling-in sessions. These can be arranged in partnership with you and your child's key person if we feel that additional time would help your child feel more secure and confident.
We will always consider your child's individual needs, temperament, previous experiences and responses to separation when planning their settling-in process.
Your Child's Start Date
On your child's agreed start date, they will begin attending their usual booked sessions.
We understand that separating from a parent or carer can be difficult for some children. If your child becomes upset when you leave, our practitioners will offer comfort, reassurance and familiar activities to help them feel safe.
Where appropriate, and in line with the arrangements agreed with you, we will contact you to provide an update. If your child remains very distressed, we will discuss the situation with you and agree on the next steps together. This may include asking you to return, arranging an earlier collection or planning further settling-in sessions.
We will discuss these arrangements with you before your child starts, so that you understand our approach and feel confident about the support we will provide.
You are welcome to telephone us during your child's session if you are concerned or would like an update. Our telephone number is 07875 259692.
Working Together to Help Your Child Settle
We understand that leaving your child in someone else's care can be an emotional experience for parents and carers as well as for children.
We encourage you to say goodbye in a calm, reassuring and positive way. A consistent goodbye routine can help your child begin to understand that you will leave and return to collect them. Once you have said goodbye, our practitioners will support your child through the separation, offering comfort and reassurance according to their individual needs.
Some children benefit from a quick goodbye, while others need more time, encouragement and support. We will never expect a child to manage separation without appropriate care and reassurance. If your child is finding things difficult, we will work with you to decide what will help them feel secure.
Please share any information that may help us support your child, including their favourite activities, comforters, routines, interests and ways of seeking comfort. This is particularly important for babies and younger children, who may communicate their needs through their behaviour and non-verbal cues.
How Often Should My Child Attend?
There is no fixed minimum number of sessions that your child must attend each week to settle in. However, we generally recommend attending at least two sessions on separate days each week, where possible.
Regular attendance can help children become familiar with their key person, other practitioners, their peers and the daily routines of the setting. Consistency can also help children develop a sense of belonging and confidence over time.
We recognise that every family's circumstances are different, and we are happy to discuss an attendance pattern that works for your family and supports your child's needs.
Meeting Your Child's Key Person
Your child's key person will work closely with you throughout the settling-in process and your child's time at Playhouse.
Within the first two weeks of starting, we aim to arrange an opportunity for you to meet with your child's key person. This gives you time to discuss how your child is settling, share any questions or concerns and talk about their development, interests and individual needs.
We value open communication and believe that a strong partnership between home and pre-school helps children feel secure, supported and ready to learn.