RHS wants all children to feel safe, stimulated and happy in the nursery and we also want parents to have confidence in both their children’s wellbeing. Before a child starts to attend, we explain the process of settling-in with his/her parents and jointly decide on the best way to help the child to settle into the nursery. Parents are expected to stay for the first few sessions until they feel their child is happy enough to be left, gradually taking time away from their child, increasing this as when the child is able to cope on their own without parent. Younger children will take longer to settle in, as will children who have not previously spent time away from parents. The settling in period lasts for 2 weeks, for which you will be charged for the second week. If you and the nursery feel your child has settled before the 2 week period, it can be negotiated that the settling in period is reduced. Please try not to agree an absolute return to work date with work in the eventuality your child does not settle and the period needs to be extended. Children who have had a period of absence may also need their parents to be on hand to re-settle them
We judge a child to be “settled” when they have formed a relationship with their key person or another familiar staff; for example, the child looks for the key-person/familiar person when he/she arrives, goes to them for comfort, and seems pleased to be with them.
We reserve the right not to accept a child into the nursery, if the child finds it distressing to be left. This is especially the case with very young children.
