We want children to feel safe, stimulated and happy in the setting and to feel secure and comfortable with staff. We also want parents/carers to have confidence in both their children's well being and their role as active partners with the nursery.

We aim to make the setting a welcoming place where children settle quickly and easily because consideration has been given to the individual needs and circumstances of children and their families.

Before a child starts to attend the nursery, we use a variety of ways to provide his/her parents/carers with information. These include written information, including our prospectus, policies, and individual meetings with parents.

During the month before a child starts we provide opportunities for the child and his/her parents/carer to visit the nursery.

We allocate a key person to each child and his/her family before she/he starts to attend; the key person welcomes and looks after the child and his/her parents/carer at the child's first session and during the settling-in process.

When a child starts to attend, we explain the process of settling-in with his/her parents/carer and jointly decide on the best way to help the child to settle into the nursery.

We have an expectation that the parent, carer or close relative, will stay for most of the session during the first week, gradually taking time away from their child, increasing this as and when the child is able to cope.

Younger children will take longer to settle in, as will children who have not previously spent time away from home. Children who have had a period of absence may also need their parent/carer to be on hand to re-settle them.

We judge a child to be settled when they have formed a relationship with their key person; for example the child looks for the key person when he/she arrives, goes to them for comfort, and seems pleased to be with them. The child is also familiar with where things are and is pleased to see other children and participate in activities.

When parents leave, we ask them to say goodbye to their child and explain that they will be coming back, and when.

We recognise that some children will settle more readily than others but that some children who appear to settle rapidly are not ready to be left, so we expect that the parent/carer will honour the commitment to stay for at least the first week.

We do not believe that leaving a child to cry will help them to settle any quicker. We believe that a child's distress will prevent them from learning and gaining the best from setting.

We reserve the right not to accept a child into the setting without a parent or carer if the child finds it distressing to be left. This is especially the case with very young children. This will come with time, experience and confidence

We suggest that a settling in week is as follows: A parent/carer needs to be available for the whole week.

Full Day Children.

We must remember that every child is an individual and realistically it will take longer than a week for your child to feel confident and secure in their new environment.

During the "settling in period" when a child starts Nursery the key worker will talk to the parent/carer about their child, and the parent/carer will complete the enrolment form. Any special needs, health problems, etc will be noted at this time. The duration of the "settling in period" will be flexible and will continue until the child feels happy and secure in the Nursery setting.

Each parent/carer will be given a Nursery Handbook which contains details of the Admissions Policy and the Curriculum as well as other useful information relating to the Nursery.

Parents/carers will have access to information regarding the curriculum activities and events through discussions with staff, regular newsletters and written information placed on the notice-board. Resources are available which parents can borrow to use at home with their child.

The notice-board will be updated on a regular basis. A description of each week's activities will be placed on the notice-board. The Nursery Handbook will be updated when necessary to reflect any changes in curriculum or policies. Newsletters will be sent out as appropriate.

The Nursery keeps a record of achievement for each child. Your child's record of achievement helps us to celebrate together her/his achievements and to work together to provide what your child needs for her/his well-being and to make progress. Staff will complete reports on each child and will be available to discuss these with parents/carers. Such reports will be used to provide advice for parents to support learning at home.