Key person policy

 

In our setting, we understand the importance of providing each child with the appropriate level of attention and care. All staff maintain a relationship with every child to ensure their needs are met; we have implemented a Key Person policy to strengthen this. The Key Person is a designated member of our staff who is assigned to an individual child, supporting their development and acting as the main point of contact for the child's parents/carers. Our Key Person system is crucial in providing individualised care and support to each child, fostering their well-being, growth, and development within our setting. The Key Person builds and develops positive relationships with their key children and their parents/carers to create a sense of familiarity and security for the child within our setting.

 

The primary responsibilities of a Key Person:

• The Key Person has responsibilities for a group of children, ensuring their individual needs are met.

• They establish a trusting relationship to help the child feel safe, secure, and confident to ensure they reach their full potential. They also provide parents/carers with a trusted person to whom they can talk about their child’s individual needs.

• The Key Person performs a starting points assessment for each child upon enrolment, which is shared with parents/carers on Tapestry.

• They are responsible for completing the "2-Year-Old Check" as required.

• The Key Person maintains open communication with parents/carers, sharing daily experiences verbally or through written daily logs for children under two and a half.

• They assist with nappy changing, potty training, and other toileting or intimate care needs of their key children.

• During the settling process, the Key Person supports parents/carers and the child, addressing their questions and providing necessary guidance.

• During activities, the Key Person plans for their key children’s learning and development. They are responsible for recording accurate observations of the children, linking to the appropriate stages within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Development Matters guidelines.

• They record basic information such as sleep times, mealtimes, and notable experiences and share this information with parents/carers at the end of each session.

• They complete progress summaries for each child, highlighting areas of development and suggesting the next steps. Any concerns are discussed with parents or carers.

• Ensuring they have a comprehensive understanding of their key children's allergies and communicating this information to all other staff members.

• In the absence of the Key Person for holiday or sickness, the Deputy Manager ensures that the responsibilities are shared among other staff members.

 

CREATED: AUGUST 2023   NEXT REVIEW: AUGUST 2024