Nursery World - Key Person Approach

A fast drop-off at the nursery gates has become one of the ways practice has had to adapt to the pandemic, with some practitioners reporting more independent children as a result. Is it time to rethink the key person approach, asks Caroline Vollans

Paint Pots says the welfare of children should always be the priority

On my walk to work over a decade ago, I passed a notice saying, ‘Parking is permitted in the marked area for five minutes to drop off or collect your child. After that a fine will be incurred.’

I sensed heartlessness emanating from the nursery. Though I knew nothing about the provision or who had erected the notice, it was enough for me to think they had got the fundamentals wrong.

The key person approach is required by law in both the existing and revised 2021 EYFS statutory framework. One of the principal features of this approach is the ‘settling-in’ period based on attachment theory. During this time the practitioner works closely with the child and parent. A five-minute stay in the car park would not make this possible.

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