Leave them at the door

Since September I have been reflecting quite heavily on how covid has impacted transitioning children in to new settings or classrooms.

Having extensively researched, written and lectured about attachment and the importance of slow transitions on attachment, it has been heartbreaking to see how Covid has impacted so much great practice.

In many of my jobs I have worked endlessly with amazing staff to improve their transitions and settling routines with young children. Both with the under 3’s but also in Nursery and Reception classes. Encouraging home visits, family picnics before the start of the year, stay and play days, individualised routines for babies and starting the year where parents stay with their children for the first session or few sessions in a new environment with new people.

Sadly, Covid put a stop to all of this, which has been heartbreaking to see but understandable. However, as we come out of the thick of the pandemic I have a deep rooted fear that this ‘new practice’ may well become the norm. Having heard the return of the age old statement, ‘they settle better when parents aren’t here’ from some educators. Children may well cling to their parents but if the transition is done slowly and sensitively this will change and allow children to feel fully secure in a new environment.