0mo–11mo8 minFamily timeSelf-careQuiet time
Warm Hello, Clear Handover
A short greeting-and-handover routine that supports your child at the start and end of a session while keeping communication with parents calm, clear, and brief.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a comfort item (blanket, muslin, or small soft toy)
Nice to have
- a small notepad and pen for a 1‑line handover note
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
What it practices
- Recognises and is most responsive to main carer’s voice: face brightens, activity increases when familiar carer appears.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Responds when talked to, for example, moves arms and legs, changes facial expression, moves body and makes mouth movements.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Gazes at faces and copies facial movements. e.g. sticking out tongue, opening mouth and widening eyes.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Enjoys the company of others and seeks contact with others from birth.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Responds to what carer is paying attention to, e.g. following their gaze.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Ensure that the key person or buddy is available to greet a young baby at the beginning of the session, and to hand them over to parents at the end of a session, so the young baby is supported and communication with parents is maintained.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)