The Early Years Foundation Stage is built around four themes: A Unique Child; Positive Relationships; Enabling Environments; Learning and Development. Attachment and the role of the key person are very obviously linked to the first two themes. Attachment is also linked to the second two themes through the kinds of environments that foster it in the home, in settings and in the contribution it makes to a child's holistic development.
Attachments are 'the emotional bonds that infants develop with their parents and other key caregivers, such as their key person in an early childhood setting' (Woodhead & Oates p1:2007).
There are two components: the need to be safe and feel comfortable in the relationship the child has with the parent, parents or caregiver, and the appropriateness of the care. Such a bond provides a sense of security to explore the environment and return to the adult in times of distress.
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