skippy Posted April 4, 2004 Share Posted April 4, 2004 How would you describe the role of a keyworker? I have been asked to put some thoughts down on paper to put into a policy. Thought i would pick your brains. I have put my thoughts down but would be interested to hear how others see the role Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 5, 2004 Share Posted April 5, 2004 Hi Skippy Welcome to the site. Our keyworker system allocates each child, and their family, to a particular member of staff. When the child comes on their pre-starting visists, they and their parent/carer are told who their keyworker is. They can then, when the child starts, hand them over to this particular person and they will help to settle them in. Each keyworker carries out observations on their children. We usually have about 10 in each group. Sometimes, but not as often as I would like, we split the children up into keyworker groups for some activities. But primarily ours are as a point of contact for parents and carers and for settling the children and observations. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 5, 2004 Share Posted April 5, 2004 We produce a 4 page Keyworker booklet for our parents, shrunk to fit on one sheet of A4. I have tried to copy it straight onto here for you and hope it works. Some is taken from PLA info. Hope this is helpful. Feel free to lift what you need. KEYWORKER SYSTEM We aim to offer the highest possible quality of experience for both children and adults in our group. One way we do this is by offering a high ratio of staff to children, that is at least a ratio of 1 adult to 8 children for the over-3’s, and 1 adult to 4 children for the under-3’s. By organising our staffing in this way we are able to encompass the Keyworker System, thereby ensuring personal attention to the needs and development of each individual child and family. Put simply, the Keyworker System allows our staff to develop a deeper knowledge of a small group of children and focus specifically on them and their needs. Alongside your valuable input and using a variety of skills including informal and formal observation of your child at play. engaged in a specific activity etc. the Keyworker will build up a detailed knowledge your child, what makes them tick, what their interests are and where their strengths lie. This information helps the Keyworker plan activities that will interest and motivate your child, or that will extend their learning. They can also revisit areas and activities which your child has especially enjoyed or where they may need a little more support and help to grasp a new concept or skill. Occasionally, and always in partnership with yourselves, the Keyworker may be able to identify or confirm a specific need such as the skills and support of speech therapists or health visitors. There are other benefits too: ·The Keyworker will help your child become integrated into the life of the pre-school, ensuring they know and understand any rules and feel comfortable with the people, routines and activities ·They will build up a relationship with your child and will be there to comfort and reassure them if necessary ·They will hopefully be aware of and sensitive to any changes in your child’s circumstances which may affect his or her behaviour or needs ·They will assist with toileting as necessary ·Their detailed knowledge of your child will enable the Keyworker to promote your child’s needs & interests in the overall planning for the group ·Their insights about your child’s progress will be shared with you or your child’s carer during the week, either when your child is dropped off or collected so you are aware of what your child has learned or experienced in the group Although children in pre-school get to know their keyworkers very well, they will also develop relationships with all the staff. This is very important as our system is designed in such a way that your child will change Keyworker as they develop and grow. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE KEYWORKER ·A Keyworker is allocated to each child and his/her family ·Keyworkers assist each child to settle into the pre-school ·Keyworkers talk with parents/carers to learn about the particular needs of each child and his/her family or carer. This will include any special needs, medical and dietary requirements and children’s special words, early language and routines ·Keyworkers observe confidentiality as necessary ·Keyworkers liaise with parents/carer on a daily basis during the settling-in period to ensure an exchange of information and the development of mutual trust ·Keyworkers keep a watchful eye on their children during their settling-in period, separating gradually according to the needs of the parents/carers and the child ·Keyworkers assist their children to join in pre-school activities ·Keyworkers encourage parents/carers to stay in the pre-school during their settling-in period, separating gradually according to the needs of the parents/carers and the child ·Keyworkers assist their children with toileting as necessary ·Keyworkers comfort and reassure their children at times of distress ·Keyworkers always endeavour to provide parents/carers with opportunities to talk and raise queries at the beginning or end of each session ·Keyworkers will make observations on the children in her group, reflecting on what the observations show about the child’s current needs and development, using this information to inform their planning of future activities and learning opportunities ·Keyworkers will contribute their detailed knowledge of their children to Nursery Planning Meetings to ensure the needs and interests of their children are met in the overall plans The role of your child’s Keyworker is a demanding one, but they make a vital contribution to the quality of your child’s pre-school experience and also obtain for themselves the satisfaction of doing an important job in the best possible way. We constantly seek to improve the quality of provision in our Nursery and would very much welcome any comments or views you may have on our Keyworker System. This term your child ______________ is in __________ Group Their Keyworker is __________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybertwin Posted April 5, 2004 Share Posted April 5, 2004 Hi That is great Lisa, such a wonderful idea giving the paretns an overview Sarah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hali Posted April 5, 2004 Share Posted April 5, 2004 Hi The role of keyworkers in our setting is they have their own group of children whom they take out for group work and fill in files for them, talk to those childrens parents about their progression and look after them especially when they 1st start pre school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy Posted April 14, 2004 Author Share Posted April 14, 2004 Thankyou all very much for your replys much appreciated We operate on a ratio 16 children - 3 staff. How could we fairly split the goup?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts