3.2 Explain how babies and young children learn and develop best from a basis of loving, secure relationships with carers and with key persons in work settings

This guide will help you answer 3.2 Explain how babies and young children learn and develop best from a basis of loving, secure relationships with carers and with key persons in work settings.

Babies and young children grow, learn and thrive best when they have loving, secure relationships with the adults who care for them. This applies both at home and in work settings such as nurseries, childminding settings and preschools. These relationships give children a sense of safety and trust, which supports all areas of their development.

A secure emotional base helps children to explore their world with confidence. It allows them to develop social skills, learn language, practise physical movements and begin to regulate emotions. In early years settings, the role of the key person is vital in creating and maintaining this secure base.

Loving and Secure Relationships

A loving and secure relationship is one where the child feels valued, accepted and cared for consistently. This means the adult responds quickly and warmly to the child’s needs, whether these are physical, emotional or social.

In such relationships, babies learn they can rely on others. They begin to trust that their needs will be met. This trust becomes the foundation for healthy emotional development and positive learning behaviours. Children who feel safe can take risks in play and try new things, which is how they learn.

Without secure relationships, children may become anxious, withdrawn or overly dependent. This can affect their ability to concentrate, cooperate and communicate.

Attachment Theory and Early Development

Attachment theory explains how relationships in early life shape a child’s emotional and social growth. John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth identified that a secure attachment helps children develop confidence and resilience.

A secure attachment forms when a baby’s signals are noticed and acted upon quickly and sensitively. For example, if a baby cries and the carer picks them up, comforts them and meets their need, the baby learns that the adult is reliable. Over time, this creates a lasting sense of security.

Children with secure attachments are more likely to:

• Explore their environment with confidence
• Build strong social relationships later in life
• Develop good language and communication skills
• Manage their feelings more effectively

The Role of the Key Person in Work Settings

In early years work settings, each child is assigned a key person. This is a named member of staff who builds a special relationship with that child and their family. The key person is often the first point of contact for parents and the adult who understands the child’s needs best.

The key person provides:

• Emotional support
• Comfort and reassurance during separation from parents
• Consistent care routines
• Knowing the child’s likes, dislikes and comfort items
• Communication with parents about the child’s day, achievements and needs

This person helps the child feel safe in the setting, giving them the confidence to engage with others and explore activities.

How Secure Relationships Support Learning

Learning in the early years is closely linked to emotional security. When children feel loved and safe:

• Their stress levels remain low, which helps brain development
• They are more curious and engaged in activities
• They have the confidence to practise new skills
• They respond positively to guidance and boundaries

Secure relationships encourage children to take part in play, which is the primary way babies and young children learn. Through play, they experiment, solve problems, test ideas and develop their creativity.

The Impact on Speech and Language Development

Children who feel secure are more willing to communicate. They babble, gesture and talk more when they know an adult will respond positively. The carer’s role is to listen, respond and extend these early attempts at communication.

A key person or carer can support speech and language by:

• Talking to babies during care routines
• Using facial expressions and gestures
• Repeating and expanding on the child’s words
• Sharing stories and rhymes in a fun way

When children feel confident to try speaking, they make faster progress in language skills.

Building Trust with Babies and Young Children

Trust is the base of a secure relationship. To build trust, carers need to:

• Be consistent in their responses
• Keep to predictable routines where possible
• Show warmth through tone of voice, smiles and gentle touch
• Respect the child’s emotions, even during distress or tantrums

Over time, children learn that adults are dependable and safe. This trust allows them to explore their surroundings without constant fear or uncertainty.

Supporting Emotional Development

A secure, loving relationship helps children learn to manage their feelings. When adults notice and name feelings for children, it helps them understand emotions. For example, saying “I can see you are upset because your tower fell down” validates the child’s experience and teaches them to recognise emotions.

Through empathy and consistent support, children begin to develop emotional resilience. They learn that difficult feelings are temporary and manageable. This is an important life skill.

The Role of Routine and Consistency

Babies and young children thrive on routine. Knowing what to expect helps them feel safe. In a nursery or similar setting, this might mean having set times for meals, naps and key activities.

Predictability helps children regulate their emotions and behaviour. When routines are followed by the key person, the child experiences stability even in a busy environment.

Partnership with Parents and Carers

Strong relationships between the key person and the child’s family help the child feel more secure. Parents can share important information about the child’s needs, routines and development. The key person can share observations and suggest activities to support learning at home.

Good communication between home and setting creates a consistent approach to care. This benefits the child’s emotional wellbeing and learning progress.

Responsive Care in Everyday Routines

Care routines such as feeding, nappy changing, dressing and sleep times are important opportunities for bonding. During these times, the carer can make eye contact, talk to the child and respond warmly.

This one-to-one attention reassures the child and strengthens the relationship. It also helps the child associate care tasks with comfort and safety, rather than stress.

Recognising Individual Needs

Every child is unique. Some may need more reassurance than others. Others may thrive on greater independence. A strong, secure relationship allows the key person to understand these differences and adjust their approach.

Observing the child’s cues, such as facial expressions and body language, helps carers meet needs effectively. For example, a toddler who hides behind a chair when there is a loud noise may need comfort and a calm explanation before returning to play.

Supporting Transitions

Transitions can be challenging for young children, such as starting nursery, moving rooms within a setting or changing carers. The key person helps make these times easier by providing familiar routines and emotional support.

Gradual introductions to new environments or adults can prevent anxiety. Staying close during play and offering comfort when needed helps the child adapt more easily.

Encouraging Social Interaction

Once children feel secure with their key person, they are more likely to engage with other children. The carer acts as a safe base, encouraging gentle interactions with peers and guiding the child in sharing, taking turns and developing friendships.

This early social learning lays the foundation for later group learning in school.

Positive Behaviour and Secure Relationships

When children feel safe, they are more likely to behave positively. They respond better to guidance from an adult they trust. The key person can guide behaviour by:

• Setting clear and consistent boundaries
• Using positive reinforcement for good behaviour
• Modelling respectful and kind behaviour themselves

Through this, children begin to understand social rules and expectations.

Supporting Physical Development

Loving, secure relationships encourage physical exploration. A baby is more willing to crawl, walk or climb when they know the adult will be there if they need help. This support helps with developing coordination, strength and risk awareness.

The carer can create a safe space for movement while watching closely and offering encouragement.

Long-Term Benefits of Secure Early Relationships

The benefits of these relationships last beyond the early years. Children who grow up with secure attachments tend to have:

• Better self-esteem
• Stronger problem-solving skills
• More empathy towards others
• Greater resilience in dealing with challenges

These skills prepare children well for school and later life.

Final Thoughts

The foundation of loving, secure relationships in early years settings cannot be overstated. Children need to feel safe, valued and understood before they can focus on exploring and learning. This security starts with consistent, responsive care from trusted adults both at home and in the setting.

In the workplace, the role of the key person is central to this process. By knowing the child well, responding to their needs and working closely with their family, the key person helps the child to grow with confidence. This emotional base supports all aspects of learning and development, creating the best possible start in life.