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As a day care owner you want to provide parents and children with the best possible care. Ideally, each age group within a day care should have a key worker who supports and represents it. This person builds critical relationships with both families and children and coordinates information pertaining to their charges sharing it as needed with parents and other staff. This way consistency and continuity of care is maintained which is vital for supporting the foundations for their development and ensures the emotional and physical well being of the child.

The key worker communicates regularly with parents from the outset ensuring that the child settles into the day care with minimum upset. He/she learns as much as possible about the relationship between parent and child so as to apply that knowledge at day care. Additionally, they are responsible for maintaining progress reports and development plans for each individual child. This way any changes in the behaviour or interests of the child will be noted.

A major aspect of the role of key worker is to bridge the worlds of day care and home. . He/she uses the knowledge gleaned from parents to form a bond with the child which provides for continuity of relationship. Other carers should also form relationships with the child to avoid separation anxiety should the key worker be absent.

A policy defining the key worker role, including summaries in your parent and carer handbooks should be developed if you plan to implement this system. Being that key intermediary figure is an important role and involves incredible commitment and and all staff should be made aware of same. The benefits of this approach for all concerned should be made clear to all parties in your key worker policy.