Key Worker System

Mallusk Community Playgroup operate a Key Worker System.  Essentially this means that each child, upon starting with us, will be assigned a named member of staff who will be their key worker.  It will be the key worker’s responsibility to oversee the settling in period for your child, in partnership with you to ensure that this goes as smoothly as possible.  Additionally the key worker will observe and work closely with your child during their sessions, in order to ensure that your child continues to progress and develop, and in order to plan appropriate activities for your child to build and extend their learning.
A child’s key worker will not be with the child every minute of the day as we encourage interaction between all staff and children, but they will keep a watchful eye on your child.

Our key worker systems provides:

Assistance with settling into playgroup.
Close monitoring of a key child’s progress in all areas of development.
A personal contact for parents, although all staff are available at the end of each session.
Knowledge of a particular child’s needs when planning the curriculum.

A child’s key worker will:

Help during the child’s settling in period, reassuring the child and parent/carer as necessary.
Help a child into the routine of the playgroup and help them feel comfortable.
Build up a reassuring relationship with the child.
Make themselves available for discussions with the parent/carer at the end of each session.

Keyworkers do not:

Shadow their children throughout the sessions, but make themselves available for all children.
Liaise only with their group of children.
Prevent other adults from forming a relationship with their key children.

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PLEASE NOTE: The playgroup leader or deputy playgroup leader are always available to speak to parents.  

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