There is a unanimous feeling in our school that the home visits which staff undertake have huge benefits. The insights that staff have gained into each child’s home and background greatly helps them to assess their level of need in school and prepare for the child’s entry into the setting. Another major benefit is that the home visits are the start or the continued building of the relationship with parents which is vital if we are to be successful in providing for the needs of the child. It also shows parents that the school respects them and wants to share their knowledge, which puts the relationship on a more equal footing.
Meeting each child in his or her home environment has proved invaluable in:
- gathering information that will enable the children to settle into Nursery and Reception classes;
- establishing positive links with families, especially those of vulnerable pupils.
For parents and children, a visit gives them the opportunity to meet the keyworker and staff in a safe environment, where they feel confident and at ease. For Keyworker a visit provides the opportunity to:
- establish early, positive contact;
- see children in their own familiar settings;
- meet other family members, people and pets who are important to the children;
- understand the problems that children might encounter at school, and also to appreciate the wealth of learning that goes on in the home.
This all helps to get a fuller picture of the children. Professionals can gain much from observing a child where he or she feels settled and in control.
