Fulfilling the Role of the Key Person

No matter our age or stage in life, we all need people to care for us and care about us. Children are most in need of this care, especially in Early Years settings.To fulfil this need, caregivers must demonstrate a capacity to care for and understand the children they look after. In other words, they have to show empathy.Developing empathy establishes a link between children and their assigned main caregiver within a nursery, known as the Key Person. Fulfilling the role of the Key Person means developing the skills to empathise better, so that a child can learn and develop in their own individual fashion.Nursery workers are often the Key Person for multiple children at once. Having a solid foundational skill set allows them to keep on fulfilling the role of the Key Person, meaning the children in their care develop healthily.Topics covered:Why is a key person important?Attachment TheoryThe role of a Key PersonWhy build relationships?Relationship with the childRelationship with primary caregivers