Attachments to a caregiver are very important in the early years as this provides a safe base
for a child, helping them to develop confidence and to feel safe.
When a child is in a Nursery or Childminder setting, a key person or member of staff can
support a child by providing an attachment figure during a child’s time in the setting.
The key person helps the child to feel understood, cared about, and safe, fulfilling the role
of a parent while in the setting, ensuring consistency for that child.
This does not replace the role of a parent in any way but offers security for the child while away from parents.
Securely attached children are able to explore, play happily and are confident to access their
caregiver should the need arise. Children can then learn that carers are dependable and
predictable, with children more likely to exhibit positive behaviours.
Securely attached children tend to develop positive self-regulation which leads to less
stressful children with less behavioural issues. It is therefore highly important that children
have strong attachments with parents, carers and key people in early years settings.
https://www.bild.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Attachment-theory-MentalizationEpisystemic-trust-and-PBS.pdf Accessed 19/10/2023
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-health-development/attachment-early-years Accessed
19/10/2023
