Transition
At Oasis Academy Temple, we believe that children's transition into the academy is the key to successful lifelong learning. We understand the importance of ensuring that children feel safe and secure and believe that the best way to do this is to work together to ensure that every child gets the best possible start. Our induction procedures in the Early Years ensure that children are given time to build solid relationships with adults and their peers and to settle into their new unfamiliar surroundings.
Stay and Play Sessions
These sessions are run by Early Years staff and give families the first chance to come into the Academy and to meet some of the key members of staff. It is a fantastic opportunity for your child to explore their new surroundings with the comfort and support of having their key care giver there with them. This will make the transition to dropping them off much less stressful as they become used to the Nursery and staff.
Home Visits
We know that this first meeting is one of the most important parts of beginning our relationships with your child. It is important that this first meeting should take place in familiar surroundings. Many children will be coming away from home for the first time when they start school and we want them to feel safe and secure with the new adults they will be working with. During our visit we really want to know all about your child and to gain an understanding of how best to support them settling successfully into the Academy.
Family Induction Sessions
You will then be invited to a Family Induction Session where you will have the opportunity to see the Academy’s facilities and resources and most importantly it will be time for the children to ‘play’ and explore their new surroundings alongside their family. During the visit there will be plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions and you will be encouraged to play alongside your child.
Your Key Person
All staff and in particular your child’s ‘Key Person’ will endeavour to help you and your child feel at home and staff are always available should you have any questions or concerns.
A key person’s main duties will be to assist the child to settle into the Pre-school by:
- Introducing the parents/carers to the Pre-school
- Talking with parents/carers
- Keeping a special watchful eye on the child in the first few sessions
- Assisting the child to integrate and settle well into the Pre-school environment
- To provide for the emotional needs of the child e.g. to comfort and reassure the child at any time.
- To care for the child’s physical needs e.g. to assist with toileting or snack time as appropriate.
- To identify the child’s needs and incorporate them within the curriculum, ensuring that account is taken of race, culture, religion, language and family values.
- Observing, keeping records and monitoring the child’s progress.
- Liaising with parents/carers, encouraging them to contribute expertise.
- To develop a day-to-day rapport with parents/carers, informing them of their child’s activities and achievements and being available, at the beginning and end of each session to answer any questions or concerns.
- To contribute information about individual children to the planning of the Pre-school curriculum framework whilst respecting confidentiality as necessary.
- To liaise in conjunction with parents/carers and with statutory/professional personnel as necessary