The early years of a child’s life are not just about learning about the world around them; they’re also about forming relationships with the people around them too.

Attachment is the emotional connection a child has with their caregiver(s). A child’s early experiences of attachment and connection contribute to their understanding of relationships, and their ability to form attachments later on.

Why secure attachment matters

One of the most important foundations for a child’s development is secure attachment to those caring for them.

A secure attachment between a child and their caregiver brings with it a sense of security and trust. It’s developed through consistently responding to the child’s needs and fostering a safe and loving environment and relationship.

Children with secure attachments can be more likely to:

• Manage their emotions effectively
• Build healthy relationships with peers and adults
• Show resilience in the face of change or challenge
• Be curious and engaged in learning

Attachment in the nursery environment forms between our practitioners and the children they care for. By seeking opportunities to connect and bond with the children, those looking after them can help them feel safe in nursery just as they do at home.

Why is attachment so important for nursery life?

Secure attachments with their primary caregivers at home can help the transition into nursery life as children can quickly understand that they leave (drop off) but are always reunited.

Establishing relationships with the practitioners in the nursery is essential for supporting this, so young children have a “safe persons” in the nursery they can rely on for comfort and care.

What does secure attachment look like in nursery?

In the nursery, secure attachment often shows up in small, significant ways such as:

• A child seeking comfort from a familiar practitioner when they’re upset
• Trusting or asking a staff member to help them with needs like feeding, toileting, or putting on their shoes
• Feeling confident enough to explore independently, knowing that there is help nearby if they need it
• Expressing emotions freely, confident they will be responded to with care

Working Together: Helping children settle

We know that starting nursery can be a big transition—for both children and their parents! That’s why we prioritise creating nurturing environments with practitioners who are passionate about the children’s wellbeing, so secure attachments can form.

Here are a few ways we work together to help your child settle in:

1. Gentle Transition: We offer settling-in sessions so your child can gradually get to know their new environment and caregivers. The first session (a “getting to know you” session) welcomes the opportunity for children to explore and plate while still having the comfort of a parent nearby. We increase the duration of the settling in sessions so that children get used to the notion of their parent leaving and coming back for longer periods.
2. Moving on up: Similarly, we arrange settling-in visits to the next age group when a child is due to move up a room, to allow them time to get to know the team, children, and environment.
3. Key Carer: Each child is assigned a key carer who is primarily responsible for the care, communication, and development records for that child. We aim to allow the children to “choose” their own key carer in the first few sessions – this is usually the person they seek out to interact with or look to for comfort.
4. Open Communication: Sharing routines, likes, dislikes, and comfort items from home helps us create as much consistency as possible for your child. We’re also on hand to help with changes and transitions such as dropping naps, toilet training, or welcoming a sibling.
5. Be kind: Our practitioners are expected and trained to respond to children’s emotional needs with warmth, patience, and understanding.

If you have questions or would like to know more about our nurseries in Barry and Llanishen, we’d be glad to hear from you. You can contact us here.