How to Register your Child at Aunty Helen's
So you are now considering a place here for your child at Aunty Helen's, what do you need to do now?
​
The first stage is to check out if there is any availability and then get in touch with me so that we can discuss your childcare needs.
The next stage will be to book in a setting visit for your 'show around'
Finally once you and your child have met with me, taken a look around our lovely setting, met with some of the other children here and you have had a chance to look through my compliance folder which contains some important documents, and policies & procedures etc.
Together we have discussed how best I meet your childcare requirements, and we feel that we are
'the right fit'
You would like to reserve a space and I have confirmed that I am able to offer your child a placement here. So whats' the 'Next Steps'?
Step 1.
We will agree a planned start date for your child's place and I will take all relevant information from you that is needed to complete paperwork. I will also send you a 'New Starter Form' for you to complete and I will get you set up on my digital platform Baby's Days System that I use.
Due to high demand for professional childcare services in the area, along with restrictions to ratios, places are limited. I am currently inundated with enquiries and places fill up fast, so to avoid disappointment please do get in touch today if you are looking at booking your child's place to check there has not been any changes regarding availability since your visit as I operate a first come first served basis (signed contracts and deposit taken)
​
The Settle In Process
Once your chid has been registered, then together we will arrange a few settle in sessions to help with the transition into the setting.
​
Usually we would plan two, 2 hour sessions prior to our start date, the first of which is included in your deposit fee and therefore at no extra cost, the second one and any further sessions thereafter, (if we decide that more are needed) are charged for at my normal private basic hourly rate and will be added to your first invoice.
​
I often suggest that the first settle in session parent / carer attends so that little one can feel comfortable and see that I am a "trusted person" also it gives us time to discuss your child's normal routines, likes and dislikes etc so that I can really get to know you both and vice versa. I will issue you with a 'Starting Points' document that I will need you to complete ready for the next session. This is an important part of our settling in process and helps me to learn in depth all about your child so that I can make adequate provisions to be able to best support your child. It also gives me a foundation of which to work from in regards to their development following the EYFS framework.
​
The second settle in session and any subsequent sessions that we plan we will aim at a door step drop off system to see how little one gets on here without parent / carer. We try to keep our morning drop off at the door as quick as we can so that your child doesn't get distressed seeing you leave and we reassure that "Mummy" or "Daddy" (or whatever name you are known to your child as) will soon be back for them and they are having a little playtime here with Aunty Helen and the children. I find that the more lengthy and drawn out the process of handover and drop off is, the harder it is to then settle the child into our routines and activities here.
​
During these settle in sessions I can also reassure you too by sending photos of your child's time here and you are welcome to participate in joining our group what's app chat page which, with your consent, I will set up for both parents and myself so that we can share messages and photos between the three of us.
​
Once your child has joined our setting and attended their first day, the first 4 weeks are known as "the settle in period" during which time, if either you or I feel that your little one really isn't settling in well here for whatever reason and it may appear that we are not the "right fit" and that a different setting may be more beneficial to your child, then we can terminate the contract with immediate effect should it be needed to prevent your child from further distress. Under normal circumstances, once our settle in period has come to an end, then to terminate the contract we would require 4 weeks notice in writing (not including holiday periods).