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The Importance of Key Persons.

After recently implementing the Key Person system in my setting and assigning particular care responsibilities to the Key Persons to help build the bond between them and the children I wanted to share my passion for the subject.

The attachment that occurs between a child and their Key Person is undeniable. Whether you are in a setting that operates a singular Key Person system or room Key Persons system you will have witnessed that when a new child settles into an early years setting they make a firm attachment with one particular practitioner. It may be an obvious attachment, wanting attention from only that person, seemingly denying other practitioners to comfort them and becoming anxious or distressed when that practitioner leaves. Or it may be a subtle attachment, learning how to say their name first, craving praise and encouragement from that person in particular and showing equal affection to all other practitioners in the setting.

This attachment is particularly important for young children in early years settings and can be very rewarding for practitioners as well as encouraging and comforting for parents and carers. A sensitive approach to parents and carers is needed by practitioners when a bond is formed between them and the child. ‘Childcare 101’ teaches us that children with strong primary attachments are able to form many secondary attachments and are generally emotionally strong. A lot of parents and carers may not understand this and misinterpret the relationship so need reassurance from practitioners that they are not replacing them in their child’s affections. The EYFS states that practitioners should be “reassuring parents who may be concerned that children may be more attached to staff than to them.”

Parents and carers are often extremely pleased to learn that their child’s Key Person is their first point of contact when attending the setting and is interested in building a close relationship with them and the family. Parents and carers also like to know that the Key Person will also be getting to know the child, their care routine, their personality and using this information to help them develop, learn and flourish whilst in the setting. 

Sarah Church, West Sussex

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