Transition and Settling In Policy
Preparing for Change
We all have huge milestones in our lives, even as adults, and we prepare ourselves for these through practice, discussion, planning and rehearsal. We might also put ourselves in a position where we can ‘get used’ to something or someone new. We build resilience skills so that we can cope better with new and unfamiliar events, putting ourselves in a stronger position to then support our own children with challenges and milestones.
We all have huge milestones in our lives, even as adults, and we prepare ourselves for these through practice, discussion, planning and rehearsal. We might also put ourselves in a position where we can ‘get used’ to something or someone new. We build resilience skills so that we can cope better with new and unfamiliar events, putting ourselves in a stronger position to then support our own children with challenges and milestones.
When we are incredibly young, we have many ‘firsts’ to endure and manage. Events like joining a small playgroup, starting at a childminder, attending nursery, and starting school are very real and to some children they are exciting times. To some others they can be unnerving or unsettling times, to others they can be worrying and even scary causing great anxiety
At Little Acorns we aim for our children to be ‘eased’ into their new environment and nurtured through changes to people and routine. We will work closely with you to make this transition as positive as possible. There are some things we can do to prepare children for this change,
- Always speak in positive terms even if we are anxious or worried about how our children might be feeling.
- Encourage and speak enthusiastically about a few positive elements, always having something ‘to look forward to.’
- Try not to share any concerning stories about our own starts and transitions in the hope it will make others feel better! Avoid the ‘it’s not as bad as when I had to go to a childminder’ approach!
- Don’t be worried if your child suddenly moves on and appears not to need reassurance or comfort, it means that they are confident about where they are going and what’s happening, and secure in the knowledge that you will return unconditionally. It is not a sign of rejection.
- Greet them with a positive interest in what they have done, praise and celebrate the little successes, go at your child’s speed.
Getting things Started
- As we start the process it will be important to meet and get to know each other a little, this will be an informal meeting at Little Acorns over a cup of tea and biscuit! You may have some initial questions. We have a FAQ document that you could take away with you.
- When you have made the decision to go ahead, we will visit you at home to complete some documentation and gather some information. We would prefer to do this at the child’s home, like the home visits arranged by schools, so that they can see us in their own environment, and understand that we don’t pose a threat.
- If this cannot be done, we will make different arrangements.
- At this meeting we will discuss the transition and how we want it to look.
- We will agree a start date.
- We will share our policies with you and give you time to read them.
Parting
To support children who are very anxious, or who have a special need we can work with you to provide a transition social story to help visualise what is happening in a more concrete way. This may involve making a ‘Things That Stay the Same’ book, or ‘Me At Little Acorns’ book.
We have information for parents about parting, separation anxiety and settling in, transitions and settling in, we also have useful articles about school anxiety and refusal and supporting a child returning to school after lockdown/after a long absence.
A child needs to know that when a parent says goodbye, that they will return to collect them. Playing games at home like ‘peek a boo’, and ‘can you still hear me?’, moving to different rooms in the house and talking to each other, can help build resilience and trust. Sometimes, leaving a belonging with your child to say that you will be back to get it can also reassure them that you will back. It is never a good idea to ‘sneak off’ without saying goodbye properly, children will be unsure about trusting you going and coming back and will become distressed and nervous.
Children may feel the need to protest and express their feelings about you going and this is natural, trust is built on honesty. They will understand that you are going to work and that you or a family member will be collecting them, so do explain it to them simply. Perhaps chat about who will be doing the picking up so that you will be able to answer their question, ‘who will pick me up?’, confidently. As they build resilience, nurtured through trust, they will be able to cope when things don’t quite go according to plan, such as a pickup routine changing. The relationship between the childminder and parent is equally important, so that you can feel confident that your child will be safe. Always talk to us about any worries you may have.
To support children who are very anxious, or who have a special need we can work with you to provide a transition social story to help visualise what is happening in a more concrete way. This may involve making a ‘Things That Stay the Same’ book, or ‘Me At Little Acorns’ book.
We have information for parents about parting, separation anxiety and settling in, transitions and settling in, we also have useful articles about school anxiety and refusal and supporting a child returning to school after lockdown/after a long absence.
A child needs to know that when a parent says goodbye, that they will return to collect them. Playing games at home like ‘peek a boo’, and ‘can you still hear me?’, moving to different rooms in the house and talking to each other, can help build resilience and trust. Sometimes, leaving a belonging with your child to say that you will be back to get it can also reassure them that you will back. It is never a good idea to ‘sneak off’ without saying goodbye properly, children will be unsure about trusting you going and coming back and will become distressed and nervous.
Children may feel the need to protest and express their feelings about you going and this is natural, trust is built on honesty. They will understand that you are going to work and that you or a family member will be collecting them, so do explain it to them simply. Perhaps chat about who will be doing the picking up so that you will be able to answer their question, ‘who will pick me up?’, confidently. As they build resilience, nurtured through trust, they will be able to cope when things don’t quite go according to plan, such as a pickup routine changing. The relationship between the childminder and parent is equally important, so that you can feel confident that your child will be safe. Always talk to us about any worries you may have.
Transition Options
To help your child settle at Little Acorns we have a few options which we can adapt and extend accordingly to give them the best chance of settling fully and building trust. We can implement this over 3-5 days depending on the time your child attends.
Settling in programmes are paid by the hour at the start of the week, until they reach a full day/full agreed attendance, and the period of transition can be reviewed at the end of the week to decide if you wish to continue attending Little Acorns.
If you should wish to leave at this point you may do so without a two week notice.
To help your child settle at Little Acorns we have a few options which we can adapt and extend accordingly to give them the best chance of settling fully and building trust. We can implement this over 3-5 days depending on the time your child attends.
Settling in programmes are paid by the hour at the start of the week, until they reach a full day/full agreed attendance, and the period of transition can be reviewed at the end of the week to decide if you wish to continue attending Little Acorns.
If you should wish to leave at this point you may do so without a two week notice.
We can adapt the transition pattern according to how many days / hours you plan to have your child attend Little Acorns, or to meet any special need your child might have. We will discuss this before we start.
As your child approaches further changes such as starting nursery or reception class at school, or should you wish to wait for this and start later in the reception year we will work with the setting of your choice to ensure that transition procedures are implemented.
We will welcome a visit from the new setting.
We will provide information, tracking and records.
We will work in partnership to ensure that the transition is smooth and positive, preparing the children for the next exciting chapter in their lives.
As your child approaches further changes such as starting nursery or reception class at school, or should you wish to wait for this and start later in the reception year we will work with the setting of your choice to ensure that transition procedures are implemented.
We will welcome a visit from the new setting.
We will provide information, tracking and records.
We will work in partnership to ensure that the transition is smooth and positive, preparing the children for the next exciting chapter in their lives.
COVID-19
In this climate of COVID-19, the arrangements for introductions and transition into the setting have to be adapted to reduce contact and keep everyone safe, including children who already attend, and the adults who work and live here. This is in line with Government Guidelines for Educational Settings, Pacey recommendations, and Surrey County Council advice. When parents/carers are interested in attending Little Acorns we will:
In this climate of COVID-19, the arrangements for introductions and transition into the setting have to be adapted to reduce contact and keep everyone safe, including children who already attend, and the adults who work and live here. This is in line with Government Guidelines for Educational Settings, Pacey recommendations, and Surrey County Council advice. When parents/carers are interested in attending Little Acorns we will:
- Arrange a virtual tour of the premises after a working day, where the children will play. The areas will be set up as per working day, and children already at the setting will not be present at the time.
- A ‘pop in’ will be arranged where the parents/carer/s will be able to briefly pop into the setting to get a feel of the environment. All adults will wear masks, social distancing will be observed and only one set of adults will be in the building at one time. Like a ‘one in one out’ visit. The building will be ventilated and nothing will be touched.
- A ‘face to face’ time will be arranged on the same day if needed, this will be outside, weather permitting. If the weather is against us, we will have a short meeting indoors, 2m apart, with masks, in a well-ventilated room.
- Below transitions are suggestions and plans can be very flexible to meet individuals’ children’s needs.
Date: October 2020
Signed: AOkane Date: 14.10.20
Signed: MOkane Date: 14.10.20
Signed: AOkane Date: 14.10.20
Signed: MOkane Date: 14.10.20