Starting your special journey with us at Herstmonceux Pre School
Settling In
Most parents visit the setting before their child starts with us, we will observe the child and see if the child shows any attachment towards a specific member of staff. Ideally we want the child to choose their ‘key’ person. We will explain to parents/carers the ‘settling in’ procedure, we recognise that every child is unique and consequently there are no hard and fast rules regarding settling in - we tailor make this period to best meet each child’s needs.
Pre School Family
In addition, we encourage children to help look after each other where possible; we encourage the older children to become a ‘best buddy’ to the younger/new children by sharing a game with them, showing them toys and other experiences they can enjoy. This in turn gives these children extra confidence and sense of belonging and worth.
Over the years we have tried and tested many strategies to support and provide for a smooth, calm transition, to ease the ‘settling in’ process for each child from their home into our setting. Our policy recognises that every child is different and we are committed and strive to improve our service and adapt our procedure to best suit their unique needs – being inventive, and keeping up to date with current research about young childrens emotional intelligence.
Useful Parent Information
Click on the links below for some helpful information
Best preschool we could have wished for
Can’t fault this preschool one bit. My children absolutely adore going to preschool and they have learnt so much in the short space of time they’ve been attending. The preschool staff are the so helpful and kind and my children also adore them too. Best preschool. May 2024
Home Visit
We will arrange a home visit where the child’s key person and deputy or manager will come along with;
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‘Flopsy’ our toy rabbit
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photographic account of the building
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some of the routine activities
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information about what we do at Pre School
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specific key information relating to the Registration and contract with the setting
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information about the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework
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samples of our policies and procedures
During our visit we will explain all about the Pre Schools daily routine, the types of activities, food and drink offered to the children and the key person system we have in place. We find that home visits provide an ideal opportunity for parents/carers to talk about their children, their likes, dislikes, particular interests and types of play that engages them, all in the comfort of their home surroundings. A photograph of the child and Flopsy is taken and this is printed and put into their own special folder, to look at with staff when they start.
By visiting children in their homes and reading the All about Me forms parents/carers kindly complete for us, we are able to provide specific resources, experiences for the child to enjoy on their first session at our Pre School. We have identified that by providing this level of support for children during the transition period it certainly helps them to build up their self confidence – playing with familiar resources and experiences that are meeting their current level of interest.
