Secure attachment

• A key person helps the baby or child to become familiar with the setting and to feel confident and safe within it.
• A key person develops a genuine bond with children and offers a settled, close relationship.
• When children feel happy and secure in this way they are confident to explore and to try out new things.
• Even when children are older and can hold special people in mind for longer there is still a need for them to have a key person to depend on in the setting, such as their teacher or a teaching assistant.

Video

Being close — In a nursery, a baby and her key person share a quiet moment. [transcript]

You can watch the video via modem or slow / fast / superfast broadband connections. If you are behind a network firewall, why not click here to view a flash file of the video. You do need to have the flash plugin.

Shared care

• A key person meets the needs of each child in their care and responds sensitively to their feelings, ideas and behaviour.
• A key person talks to parents to make sure that the child is being cared for appropriately for each family.
• A close emotional relationship with a key person in the setting does not undermine children's ties with their own parents.
• Careful records of the child's development and progress are created and shared by parents, the child, the key person and other professionals as necessary.

Video

Being close — In a nursery, a baby and her key person share a quiet moment. [transcript]

You can watch the video via modem or slow / fast / superfast broadband connections. If you are behind a network firewall, why not click here to view a flash file of the video. You do need to have the flash plugin.

Independence

• Babies and children become independent by being able to depend upon adults for reassurance and comfort.
• Children's independence is most obvious when they feel confident and self-assured, such as when they are in their own home with family, or with friends and familiar carers such as a key person.
• Babies and children are likely to be much less independent when they are in new situations, such as a new group or when they feel unwell or anxious.

Video

Being close — In a nursery, a baby and her key person share a quiet moment. [transcript]

You can watch the video via modem or slow / fast / superfast broadband connections. If you are behind a network firewall, why not click here to view a flash file of the video. You do need to have the flash plugin.

Effective practice

• Ensure that rotas are based on when a key person is available for each child.
• Provide a second key person for children so that when the main key person is away there is a familiar and trusted person who knows the child well.
• Plan time for each key person to work with parents so that they really know and understand the children in their key group.
• As children move groups or settings, help them to become familiar with their new key person.

Video

Being close — In a nursery, a baby and her key person share a quiet moment. [transcript]

You can watch the video via modem or slow / fast / superfast broadband connections. If you are behind a network firewall, why not click here to view a flash file of the video. You do need to have the flash plugin.

Challenges and dilemmas

• Reassuring others that children will not become too dependent on a key person or find it difficult to adjust to being a member of a group.
• Meeting children's needs for a key person while being concerned for staff who may feel over-attached to a child.
• Reassuring parents who may be concerned that children may be more attached to staff than to them.
• Supporting children's transitions within and beyond a setting, particularly as children reach four or five years of age.

Video

Being close — In a nursery, a baby and her key person share a quiet moment. [transcript]

You can watch the video via modem or slow / fast / superfast broadband connections. If you are behind a network firewall, why not click here to view a flash file of the video. You do need to have the flash plugin.

Reflecting on practice

Imagine what your setting seems like to a parent and their child when they first arrive. It may seem busy, friendly, noisy, lively, exciting and fun to you.

• How might it seem to an anxious parent and their young child of 18 months who has just experienced a violent family break-up?
• How might it seem to a five-year-old who has been living in one room with a parent who is depressed and makes little conversation?

Video

Being close — In a nursery, a baby and her key person share a quiet moment. [transcript]

You can watch the video via modem or slow / fast / superfast broadband connections. If you are behind a network firewall, why not click here to view a flash file of the video. You do need to have the flash plugin.