3 January 2025

At Scallywags Nursery, we believe that the most meaningful learning experiences for young children happen when parents and educators work together. This January, we are proud to spotlight our Working with Parents policy—a cornerstone of our commitment to building strong relationships, secure attachments, and open communication with families. Together, we can ensure your child’s early years are as enriching and positive as possible.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

Parents are a child’s first and most enduring educators. The foundation you provide at home is complemented by the nurturing environment we create at Scallywags. By collaborating closely with families, we aim to:

• Strengthen the bonds between children and their caregivers.
• Foster secure attachments with key workers in the nursery.
• Share information to understand your child’s unique needs, interests, and routines.
• Create a seamless transition between home and nursery life.
• Support parents in their own education and personal development, empowering you to continue nurturing your child’s growth.

This partnership is especially crucial during the early years when a sense of safety and consistency helps children explore, learn, and thrive.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀

At Scallywags Nursery, we take practical and meaningful steps to engage parents and create a strong connection between home and nursery life. Here’s how:

𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 -Starting nursery can be a big step for children—and for parents too! To make this transition as smooth as possible, we offer home visits before your child’s first day. During these visits:

• Your child’s key worker and a senior team member will visit your home.
• We’ll gather important information about your child, including their likes, interests, medical history, and any special needs.
• You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and discuss any concerns.
• We’ll provide helpful materials, such as a nursery bag, a social story about starting nursery, and registration forms.

These visits typically last 30-40 minutes but can be extended for families with specific needs, such as children with SEND, allergies, or medical conditions. While optional, home visits are a valuable way for your child to begin forming bonds with their key worker in a familiar setting.

𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗜𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 -We tailor settling-in sessions to suit the needs of each child and family. These sessions are designed to gradually build your child’s confidence in the nursery environment:

• Settle 1: Parent stays with the child throughout the session.
• Settle 2: Parent leaves for short periods while the child engages in activities and has lunch.
• Settle 3: Parent leaves for longer periods, allowing the child to stay for lunch and rest time.

By the end of these sessions, your child will feel secure, knowing that you’ll always return as promised. These steps are flexible, and we’ll work with you to create a plan that suits your family.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

• We keep parents informed about their child’s progress through ongoing dialogue, online development records via Nursery in a Box, and regular updates.
• Parents are encouraged to participate in shared record-keeping and contribute their skills, knowledge, and interests to enrich nursery activities.
• Workshops, conferences, and training opportunities are available to support your journey as your child’s primary educator.

𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 – We use creative and flexible strategies to include all families, regardless of work schedules or living arrangements. From tailored meeting times to virtual communication options, we strive to make every parent feel included and supported.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – When parents and educators work together, children benefit in countless ways:

• They feel safe and supported, which boosts confidence and resilience.
• Secure attachments with key workers help children feel valued and understood.
• Consistent communication ensures that both home and nursery environments cater to their developmental needs.
• Parents feel empowered to actively engage in their child’s learning journey.

𝗔 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱

At Scallywags Nursery, fostering strong partnerships with parents is not just a policy—it’s a practice woven into everything we do. By working together, we can create the best possible early years’ experience for your child, nurturing their curiosity, confidence, and joy for learning.

Parent Partnership Blog written by Demi