Starting with us

Settling In At Pre-School

We know that starting Pre-School is a huge step for you and your child. Although it is an exciting time, for some parents and children it can also be an anxious and emotional time. We want your child to feel safe and happy and to recognise other adults as a source of help, friendship and authority. Our settling-in procedures and key-person approach aim to help you both to feel comfortable in the Pre-School and to ensure that your child can benefit fully from what the group has to offer.

Key Person

When your child starts St Michael’s Church Pre-School, he/she will be assigned to a member of staff who will become their Key Person. The Key-Person’s role is to build close bonds with you as parents and meet the needs of each child in their care and responds sensitively to their feelings, ideas and behaviour. The Key Person will offer security, reassurance and continuity. They are in the best position to understand your child’s needs and share information with you about your child’s experience in Pre-school.

Your Child’s Profile

Every child who attends St Michaels Church Pre-School and Nursery has a profile. The Profile is a very important document which is used to track your child’s development throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage. It enables us to build up a story about your child, his/her learning, friends and activities he or she enjoys.

Throughout each day your child’s key person will observe your child in a number of situations and will record them in their profile; these observations include photographs, children’s mark-making, observations and learning stories. Your contribution to your child’s Profile is very important. When we share information on your child’s learning and development it gives us a clearer picture and together we can plan more effectively to help extend their learning.

What to bring to Pre-School

  • A named bag containing a change of clothes (including nappies and wipes if needed).
  • A named pair of wellington boots. In winter, please bring a named warm coat, hat and gloves. During the summer term we ask that you put sun cream on your child before coming to Pre-School and ensure that he/she wears a named sun hat as during fine weather the children are outside as much as possible.
  • A piece of fruit to share.