Key Worker Policy

Part of the job role of most staff members at Whytebeams is to be a key worker. Each child and their family are assigned a key worker who works on the majority of the child’s booked sessions. Key workers have specific duties in relation to their key children however all staff care for all children during the nursery day. Our Key worker’s names are on our notice board and website. Key workers are paired so that in the event that your key person is not in or unavailable you have a designated alternative who knows your child. Key ‘Pairs’ will liaise to allow continuity of communication and care. In the rare event that a Keyworker leaves, a new keyworker will be assigned and a strong handover will take place with parents and children being informed. This may also happen if parents change their child’s days or sessions.

 

A key person’s role is to:

 

Welcome and assist each child and their family to settle at Whytebeams Develop a relationship of trust with the parent/carer and child and build a positive relationship Support the separation process in line with our settling in policy Comfort children when needed Develop a professional knowledge of the child and family to best support them Help children to begin to navigate and understand their new environment Make each child and their family feel welcome and show respect for their cultural background, values and linguistic diversity.

 

Support children in using their home language in their play and learning while providing opportunities for them to develop English if necessary, working in partnership with parents. Carry out a welcome meeting with the parent/carer to get to know you and your child and find out any special needs or routines. Spend time with key children during free flow and during 1-1 or small group work, getting to know them well and building a positive relationship, especially during the settling in period. Help children with their personal routines such as toileting, dressing and comforting them when necessary. Create a learning journal on Tapestry and a hardcopy personal file and keep them up to date. Make observations, plan for and assess children’s interests, needs, learning and development. Notice and support any areas a child is not progressing in or is exceeding in. Carry out the required statutory checks at 2 years and on transition. Be available to speak to parents/carers at the beginning/end of a session if needed. Have regular meetings with parents in order to discuss their child’s progress and development and to plan their child’s next steps in learning. Utilise the curriculum to meet children’s needs and take an active role in building learning topics. Be alert to any safeguarding or welfare concerns and report them in line with our safeguarding policy.

Complete the general welfare log at the end of each term.

Observe confidentiality and work within our policies.

Work under the direction of the manager and deputy managers.