Article Directory

Parents and children at your day care deserve the best possible care and attention. Supporting and representing each age group at day care should be the all important key worker. When necessary, the key worker communicates information pertaining to the children to staff and parents having already formed crucial relationships with both children and families. The emotional and physical health of the child, and the foundations for their overall development are supported thanks to this consistency and continuity of care.

The key worker communicates regularly with parents from the outset ensuring that the child settles into the day care with minimum upset. He/she learns as much as possible about the relationship between parent and child so as to apply that knowledge at day care. Additionally, they are responsible for maintaining progress reports and development plans for each individual child. This way any changes in the behaviour or interests of the child will be noted.

A major aspect of the role of key worker is to bridge the worlds of day care and home. The bond a key worker forms with a child, using knowledge gleaned from parents, helps provide the all important continuity of relationship. Other carers should also form relationships with the child to avoid separation anxiety should the key worker be absent.

If you have a key worker system in place at your day care you should develop a policy explaining how it works and include a summary in your parent/employee handbook. Being that key intermediary figure is an important role and involves incredible commitment and all staff should be made aware of same. The policy should ensure that all parties are aware of the benefits of this approach and what they can do in order to support the keyworker.