Settling In - Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Catford

Enquire now with Catford

We recognise that each child, parent, and nursery relationship is unique, and we use our experience to support everyone in making that transition into nursery life as smooth as possible.

Gradual steps – your first sessions

Your child will then be invited to 5 FREE settling in sessions within the nursery that will be organised as follows:

Settling in sessions

Session 1

10.00 – 11.00

We suggest that you stay with your child and spend an hour in the Nursery setting. This will normally be enough time for your child’s first day.

Session 2

10.00 – 11.30

You will need to encourage your child to say goodbye at drop off. You will then be asked to complete your child’s learning journey in our reception area, alternatively you can take it away with you and return it when you pick your child up.

Session 3

10.00 – 12.15

By day three, you will need to encourage your child to say goodbye at drop off. You will then be asked to collect your child after their lunch, no later than 12.15

Session 4

10.00 – 2.30

By day four, you will need to encourage your child to say goodbye at drop off. You will then be asked to collect your child after their sleep, no later than 2.30

Session 5

10.00 – 4.00

By day five, you will need to encourage your child to say goodbye at drop off. You will then be asked to collect your child after their tea, no later than 4.00

We advise settling in sessions to take place with a morning and afternoon session as this enables your child to experience all of the activities and mealtimes that go on throughout the day.

These sessions are free and flexible to suit. Usually booked in for the week before the start date keeping the experience fresh in your child’s mind, your key person will fill in a report each step of the way which will help us and yourselves to track your child’s settling in and plan future support and development.

Strong relationships – Your Key Person

Our experience has shown that having a Key Person for your child is the most effective way of ensuring that children develop a strong relationship with a significant adult in the nursery, giving every child the reassurance to feel secure, familiar, and confident in the nursery environment.

At Catford your child’s Key person will:

Be assigned to your child within their settling-in week, getting to know the child and family well in order to form strong relationships to support emotional needs.
Be with your child during their settling-in sessions in order to make the handover as smooth as possible, providing essential consistency for you and your child.
Ensure they have all of the information about your child and share this with other staff so that your child’s individual needs are cared for throughout each and every day.
Carry out assessments and plan for your child’s development, ensuring they are always challenged and supported to reach their full potential.
Complete a summative assessment three times a year, of your child’s development
Have a parents’ evening with you twice a year on your child’s development.

Where Next?

Environment

Care

Nutrition

Curriculum

Meet the Team