Sunflower After School Club

Keyworker Policy

Each Reception class child will have a Keyworker. This is a specific legal requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage relating to safeguarding and welfare. Lorna and Marie will be the main Keyworkers for Reception childrenwho willliaiseand share information with parents/carers and class teachers. We will strive to ensure close relationships and support to all families and children and keep you informed of your child’s needs, experiences and development.

Keyworking will be explained to new parents/carers as their child starts Club and copies of the Keyworking policy made available should they wish for a copy.

Sunflower Club Playworkers and assistant playworkers will become shared Keyworkers whilst the new children are settling into their new environment to support and reassure them during their time at club i.e. during activities, play, transitions to and from club and snack time.Parents are asked to complete a keyworking form to provide information about their child’s likes and dislikes prior to starting Club. Shared Keyworking allows each child to build a strong rapport with at least two members of staff and develop a trusting confident relationship with them without becoming too dependent in the circumstance of one staff member not being available.

Keyworkers encourage children to help one another, express their feelings, develop new social skills, develop confidence and enjoy new play experiences both indoors and outdoors. This in turn helps boost their confidence, self esteem and holistic development.The role of the Keyworker is to be available and supportive and knowledgeable as and when this is needed.

Keyworkers and Shared Keyworkers will observe children and record observations in relation to the three prime areas set out in the Statutory Framework for the EYFS, Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development.

A Record of Achievement will be completed for children during their Reception Year, and offered to parents at the end of the year. Children who attend less than 5 hours per week may not have a Record of Achievement kept on them.During their first 3 months at Club and also at the end of the Summer term, we will create a Sunflower Petal of achievement to share with parents, together with at least one photograph showing them at play at Club. Each child will have their own Sunflower doodle book which will be kept at club and used for children’s observations, photos, pieces of art work etc. These will be available for you to access and look through with your child at any opportunity.

Keyworker meetings will be held regularly each term to help plan goals or areas of focus for individual children.

Shared Key Worker Policy Document for Staff Handbook

The Role of the Shared Keyworker

  1. Staff will be required to read and understand the definitions of the Early Learning Goals. Copies of this documentation is at the front of the Keyworker File.
  2. Staff will be aware of their role as support keyworkers –and read relevant policies relating to this. (Care, Learning & Play, Settling New Children, Keyworking and the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Guidance 2017)
  3. Staff will work with Marie to complete a Sunflower Club Petal showing achievements during the child's first 3 months in the setting. The petals focus on the three prime areas of the EYFS and demonstrate individual child's achievements.
  4. Staff are encouraged to record observations on EVERY child. These recordings are not just on children they are support Keyworker for, and will reflect an individual's positive experiences at Club.
  5. Keyworking documentation will be a continuous process, and may be carried out during spare moments ie during show and tell, TV time or after clear up. Staff use this time to write up observations, complete keyworker forms and chat to Management Team about key working children.
  6. Petals showing achievements will be stuck in their Sunflower Club book and shown to parents following a child's 3 months attendance at Club and we aim to include one or more photo.
  7. Children who attend less than 5 hours per week; may not be offered the same level of priority for recording observations, progression and completion of Petals showing achievements. These children, will obviously be supported, but documentation may not be completed. A photo for each child attending Club remains a priority.

Doc Ref:
Keyworker Policy / Date of Issue: October 13
Reviewed Date: Sept 17
Review Date Sept 18 / Issue Status: 6
Authorised by: / Manager
L.Howard / Chair

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