Pastoral Care

We were one of the first pre-schools in Norfolk to use a key-person approach to settle and care for the children that attend. The key-person approach has been in use here for over fifteen years. It has now been adopted by nearly all settings as recognised best practice. When each child begins Preschool the staff see which adult he/she ‘warms to’, where possible this will be the child’s key-person. The key-person is specifically responsible for, and close to, a small group of children so each child receives plenty of adult time and attention.

The key-person plans, implements, monitors, evaluates and reviews the children’s time at Preschool. A ‘Learning Story’ is created for each child, which is the family’s when the child leaves Preschool. The journal includes photographs, notes, observations and ‘next steps’ in learning, which most parents keep forever as a keepsake. Staff actively encourage parents to contribute to their child’s Learning story, to give a full picture of the child’s interests, needs and progress.