The key person approach
EYFS statutory requirements
All children deserve high quality early education and care. This requires a quality workforce. A well-trained, skilled team of practitioners / a childminder can help every child achieve the best possible educational outcomes. Children need to build an attachment with their key person for their confidence and well-being. The key person also promotes children’s learning by developing a deep understanding of their individual needs and children can particularly benefit from their modelling and support.
Each child must be assigned a key person. Their role is to help ensure that every child’s care is tailored to meet their individual needs, to help the child become familiar with the setting, offer a settled relationship for the child and build a relationship with their parents and/or carers. They should also help families engage with more specialist support if appropriate.
In childminding settings, the key person is the childminder, or can be an assistant where appropriate.
Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage for childminders (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Additional information can be found at:
Help for early years providers : Early years practitioner wellbeing support (education.gov.uk)
Help for early years providers : Training, qualifications, support and guidance (education.gov.uk)