Key person support


The role of attachment and the key person approach can help to build that relational learning environment where secure relationships can flourish and help with everyday changes and challenges. Building positive relationships with families is key to this, to promote positive lines of communication and encourage them to share when things are different for children and help them to understand why it is essential that settings know what is happening at home to be able to best support young children within the provision.


The key person can also be a real source of support for family members. Lots of parents and primary carers will initially struggle with their young babies and toddlers leaving home, attending a setting and being cared for by somebody else who is not part of the family. The key person approach within the setting should involve close work with family members to reassure them as much as needed.


Creating a triangle of trust


The standard settling-in process might involve many short visits and play sessions so that family members, primary carers, key persons and the child can all get to know each other and share all the essential information.


As relationships move beyond the initial getting to know you stage, the potential for effective partnership to support a child’s learning needs grows. This can be described as the relational, partnership, or triangle of trust.


It is dynamic as relationships flow between the child and parent as well as the child and key person. For a child to experience these relationships seamlessly, they need to work well. When the family and key person work in an effective partnership, their combined relationship with the child creates a triad. The impact of this three-way relationship (triadic) is the most significant on outcomes for children.


As a model, the triangle of trust looks like this:. The child


Key person


The family


The child


• Needs to experience both the home and early years environment holistically


• The triadic relationship has the most significant impact on learning and development


The family • Primary attachment figure and main secure base • Culture, identity, values and traditions • Home learning environment (HLE)


Key person • Secondary attachment figure


• Provides personal care tailored to the needs of the baby or toddler, using information provided by the family to support


• Gives opportunities for socialising and friendship • Provision learning environment


Partnership means communication, trust, sharing information, listening, planning, taking part and ultimately working together.


Remember that transition is a process and not an event!


Richard Development Manager


at Early Years Alliance


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