Guest cheryl3 Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 Hello everyone, When a new child is due to start our Pre School, we arrange a taster morning with the parents/carers. The parent and child come into the setting and spend the whole morning with us until the session finishes. Does anyone else do this? We find it sometimes makes it difficult having the parent around and gives the child false pretenses, making them think that next time they come their parent will be with them all the time again. We thought about asking the parents to come for the taster, stay a short while, leave the child with us and maybe collect early, if there is any problems we will contact them. Any ideas guys? Cheryl x
Rea Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 We always offer the parent the opportunity to visit with their child as often as they want. When the child starts the parents are still able to stay if they feel the child is unsettled, leaving for longer and longer periods, or just hiding in the kitchen. Its always worked for us.
Inge Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 (edited) we also invited parent with child for a session before they started.. not all took us up on the invite, some came for more than one.. We found it useful as it allowed parents to show child some of the areas they may be wary of, like toilets, or going outside (we could not do free flow all or nothing for our children ). We also found it helped with the parents fears about how we cared for the children, our routine, and any questions they may still have or we may have for them. I don't ever remember a child always expecting parent to stay, but did have some which stayed a few sessions until child was happy with us... always remember one dad who came with his child for 6 weeks, he had a fun time and would often be found sat alone on the floor while his son happily ran amok in the setting... he left the care to us but son just needed to know someone was there.. once he knew us he told dad to go home as he was in the way! This dad became a big part of the preschool, on committee, arranging for work to be done, even arranged for the whole building to be decorated inside - Even now this family greet me by name and happily stay and chat for a while when we meet be it in supermarket, out for a walk etc , must be 8 years ago now. I think what I am trying to say in a round about way it is one way for parents to get to know you and contribute I liked it and would not have changed it - they still do it now Inge Edited November 25, 2009 by Inge
dublinbay Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 We do this too. In fact we had a visit this morning from a child who will be starting after Christmas. Mum had the chance to speak to the staff who will be working her daughter's sessions and we will not be strangers on her first day. The child went off playing and a member of staff went through the paperwork, routines, policies and such like. Mum said at the end that she really loved the setting and asked if she could come back for another visit. She's coming back again next week.
Pimms o'clock? Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 We let parents come in with their child for as long and as many times as they wish, its often the parents that need settling in if it is going to be the first time they have left their child with someone else especially if its a first child. They then get to know staff well, and gain the confidence to ask all the questions they think might be "silly questions" in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. We have pre-school children and babies from 3 months and really make the Key Person approach work for us as our staff get to know the parents very well.
Beau Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 As part of our settling in policy parents/children were invited to come in for as many sessions as they liked the week prior to them starting. During this time staff would only interact with the child if it was appropriate - any child who seemed particularly shy or clingy were 'left in peace'! Some families welcomed this, others didn't bother at all. The first 'proper' session the children attended it was expected that the parent would stay for the whole session. If the child seemed happy and settled we would encourage the parent to perhaps help out in the kitchen so that they spent at least some of it apart. We hoped then that the child would feel safe and confident enough to come by themselves from then on. As Inge said, this wasn't always the case. For a small minority of children it took longer to settle, but we never forced a separation.
Guest Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 We invite our parents to visit as often as they want/ when they want, with no need to "book" to come. On these occasions they do stay with their child. However some just don't bother, particularly if they have other children who have been through the nursery..... they don't seem to think it is for the child's benefit as much as theirs! However a mum came in today to ask if she could visit tomorrow with her son who starts after Christmas... I think its best the option is there for those who wish to take it up. We try and encourage parents to leave the children on their first proper session..... for an hour usually but for some it can be just 5 /10 mins we try to suit each child's individual needs
blondie Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 we do as many - let the child come in with their parent for a taster session. however the parent stays - i do not know if the child would be covered on your insurance if the parent left the child alone when they are not oficailly on your register ?
Guest cheryl3 Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 Thanks everyone, some good points raised, will take them in with me tomorrow. Cheryl x
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