How a key person supports child development

So what is it that the key person needs to do to meet the needs of the child?
Forming strong bonds with the child through kind, caring interactions will ensure that children are able to form strong, caring bonds with others as they grow. This is particularly important in the Early Years as it will also ensure that they know the children well. This will allow them to meet the children’s needs with ease.

They provide children with comfort if they are upset or distressed; routines; dress children; teach them how to dress themselves independently; feed children and teach them to feed themselves too.

They meet their emotional needs by providing hugs and comfort during times of distress, supporting a child’s learning. They provide learning opportunities and also keep families informed about a child’s development.

In short, they provide:

• Close bonding
• Encouragement
• Understanding
• Familiarity
• Comfort
• Education / opportunities to learn
• and Support in learning

Whether the child attends nursery or is cared for by a childminder, they will have assess to a key person  and cater for their needs according to the EYFS.

The key person will use the EYFS framework to plan activities, make decisions and assess a child’s progress between 0-5 years.

They will be expected to perform two main assessments, which are legally required, namely:  the 2 Year progress check, carried out when a child is aged 2-3 years old and the EYFSP carried out during age 5, before the child attends primary school. This information will be officially discussed with parents, and parents will be asked to contribute to the report and sign it.

While these assessments are logged as official documents, other assessments will be carried out regularly by the key person, as part of their role and these will be shared regularly with parents throughout a child’s development, although not officially.