Parents

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Child-Centred Practice

Parents as partners

Parents are children’s first and most enduring educators. At Springwood Nursery, we believe a strong partnership with parents is vital in making the transition from home to nursery an enjoyable and stimulating experience; therefore, excellent communication with you is paramount.

Research has shown that the children of parents who work in partnership with their children’s nursery make greater progress in their learning and development. We, therefore, seek to develop an effective partnership with all parents/ carers /guardians and grandparents.

Key person

Before your child starts at our nursery, we will allocate them a key person. Your child’s key person will settle him/her into the nursery and will be responsible for meeting his/her direct and indirect needs, learning and development.

Your child’s key person will communicate regularly with you regarding what your child has been doing while at the nursery and also discuss his/her progress with you.

We class a child as being settled once they have formed a relationship with their key person; for example, the child looks for their key person on arrival for comfort and is happy to be with them.

Communication with parents

Parents can be reassured that their child is going to be well cared for and encouraged to develop and learn in an environment that values and needs their contribution on a day to day basis. They will be kept informed about their child’s development and general process. Good, clear communication means that the needs of the child and his/her family can be met more easily.

To ensure effective communication between the home and the nursery, we have the Online Learning Journal – Tapestry.

There are regular parents’ evenings, newsletters, suggestion box and questionnaires to share information between parents and staff and an ‘Open Door’ policy where parents are free to visit or telephone as often as they feel necessary.

Parent volunteers

We actively encourage and welcome parents who wish to come into the nursery to help talk or demonstrate their skills. An open invitation is displayed on the parent’s notice board. We welcome parents along to all our trips and outings.

For those parents/families where English is an additional language, staff would tell them about these opportunities verbally to ensure they were included with every other parent/carer.

Stay and play

We have regular stay and play sessions; this offers parents the opportunity to play with their child in the nursery environment, look at displays, share their favourite story with their child, meet their child’s friends and talk to other parents and staff. Our annual sports day has proven effective in promoting local community events and fundraising as a way for families to get to know each other.

Staff at the nursery are available at all times to offer support and advice, enabling you to leave your child secure in the knowledge that s/he is being well looked after.

How you can help your child in the nursery?

Ensure that your child has the correct footwear, i.e., Wellington boots in winter, plimsolls or trainers in summer – summer sandals are not very practical for climbing or exploring.
Dress your child in clothes that are easily managed and that you do not mind getting messy; smocks are provided, but paint and glue, for example, might find their way on to the clothing.
Read the notices and letters which will provide you with up–to–date information.
Talk to staff immediately if you have any concerns or queries.
Become involved in the nursery by volunteering. The Nursery Manager will be happy to discuss this with you.
Inform your child’s key person of any significant changes in your child’s life.

Ways to support your child

There are many ways in which parents take part in making the setting a welcoming and stimulating place for children and parents, such as:

Exchanging knowledge about their children’s needs, activities, interests and progress with the staff.
Contributing to the progress check at age two.
Work with the nursery to support your child to achieve the agreed next steps for your child.
Do activities provided by the key person to extend further learning at home with your child.
Attend Parents’ evenings and nursery events.
Sharing their own special interests with the children.
Taking part in events and informal discussions about the activities and curriculum provided by the setting.
Joining in community activities, in which the setting takes part in building friendships with other parents in the setting.

What our parents say about us

My daughter has made excellent progress in her writing, especially. She has a good social group at nursery. Staff always encourage her to eat healthy meals.

Staff are fabulous with raising issues, detailing the day and able to answer any questions about my child.

The staff in the Pre-school room really know my child and stretch him where possible.

Staff at Springwood care about each child and are very attentive.

Springwood has always been a great place to take my daughter. She loves her time there. The staff are brilliant and very supportive. You can see each staff member really cares about the children. The activities throughout the day vary and are very creative. Also, the staff are very aware of each child’s needs and individuality.

It is the staff who work with the children every day who make Springwood great. They show great passion for caring for children and really get to know them, importantly make the child happy being here and the parent to leave them there.

They pick up on subtle differences in their behaviour, e.g., ate less, didn’t play with friends, shows they know the child and have their best interests.

I love the community of Springwood – really friendly and caring.

Very good, there is a lot to do, excellent meals

I feel well supported and listened to by staff. They are also really flexible when I need extra Childcare.