Communicating with Parents

For many parents, placing their child in care can be a difficult experience. Many parents wonder…is my child safe? Is my child happy? Is my child being well cared for? And above all, how will I know? Developing a consistent way of communicating with parents and involving them in your program can help reduce some of the anxieties that arise for parents. Providing a supportive environment for child to grow and develop, you develop partnerships that will benefit everyone.

Good communication with parents starts before a child enters into a program. Taking the time to schedule a meeting with new parents and allowing the child to visit the program are the beginning steps in developing a partnership in caring for a child. Topics you may want to be clear about in the initial meeting with parents could include:

• The schedule on how your program operates (hours, days of the week, days in which you are closed, and a daily schedule)
• Your program’s philosophy
• Find out information about the child (eating, sleeping, likes, dislikes, toileting habits, fears, etc.)
• Policies and procedures regarding your program

Items that should be in writing include:

• The hours you provide care as well as the days you are opened and closed
• A list of authorized persons who will drop off the child and pick up the child
• Information about meals and snacks
• What the parent needs to provide
• Holiday/vacation policy
• Your policy regarding fees and payment schedule
• Termination policies
• Immunization information
• Emergency information
• Authorization form on medication
• Wellness policy (or sick policy)
• Field trip permission forms
• The name and background of the person who may assist you regularly or when back-up assistance is needed

Having written policies and a program philosophy will help alleviate any of the misunderstandings that you could possibly have with parents and will make future communication much easier.

Keeping in touch with parents is vital throughout the time the child is with you. Some ideas on keeping in touch on a regular basis could include:

• Arrange a time to talk with parents on a daily basis, even if it is to check in briefly at drop-off or pick-up time
• Let parents know when it is a good time for them to call
• Arrange time during the year to conference with parents in more detail regarding their child
• Keep a two-way journal where you and the parent can communicate through writing notes to one another
• Setting up a bulletin board to post pertinent information
• Having an ?open door? policy so parents know they can visit anytime
• Hosting parent workshops to discuss general issues (i.e. child development, discipline, curriculum)

Keeping in touch with parents on a regular basis helps to ensure that when problems arise, they will be handled in a way that is proactive and positive.

Getting parents involved with you program also helps to establish a strong partnership. All parents have something to offer and their contributions could come in many different forms. Ways in which parents can get involved with your program could include:

• Collecting recyclable materials to be used in the program
• Helping with different projects (i.e. putting equipment together)
• Planning and celebrating special occasions (i.e. holidays and birthdays)
• Going with you on a field trip
• Joining you and the children for a meal
• Planning a family night or open house
• Assisting with curriculum and/or program development

By using clear communication and involving parents in your program, you can reduce parental concerns and make the partnership between caregiver and parent one that is based on understanding and respect.