[Anna N.]

My advice for creating and maintaining good partnership with the children and their families is initiate a relationship with them and their child, and when establishing that relationship, keep in contact with them, and make it easy for them to stay in contact with you. Be open to talking to them about their thoughts and concerns, so that if a staffs own concerns comes up, the topic can be more approachable. Furthermore, when communicating, make sure your thoughts are based on observational evidence, not opinions/judgement. Make sure to think of all sides as well when communicating, the family may be going through something that isn’t of public knowledge; be respectful and consideration of all situations, cultures, and experiences.

[Tania Flores]

Create opportunities to share information about the child’s learning and development.

[Laysha]

In order to create and maintain a good relationship with a parent, I would personally ensure that i introduced myself as my position, then continue to say good morning and have a great day! when interacting with the parents i start off by telling a funny story of their child during the day. Then addressing concerns with a positive-negative-positive. This gives the parent the reassurance that the child is not being attacked, but cared for in the sense that they need additional help.

[Autumn]

I think having good, open and honest communication with caregivers and parents as the childcare provider helps maintain a good partnership. If you have any questions or concerns, you should feel comfortable to go to the guardian and express those thoughts, in a carefully worded conversation. Same goes the other way around, the parents should feel comfortable enough to talk to you about any questions or concerns. I think having a good partnership with the parents/caregivers is partially built on trust, and that trust can be earned when they see that you love and care for the wellbeing of their child.

[Tetiana Nix]

I feel like first we have to create a strong bond and trust that way, the parents feel more comfortable with talking to us about issues that they are going through with their child or ask for some kind of advice

[Samantha Lucey]

My advice would be to have open communication and build rapport with the parents. Use knowledge the child tells you, such as things like “My aunt is coming with my cousins this weekend” or “I’m gonna have a Rainbow themed birthday this year!”. Use them in conversations with the parents and build a relationship with them, that way down the road when a conflict arises there is more trust there for everyone involved. I know from personal experience I have had to have tough talks with my childcare providers, the way they approached it was handled so well that it set an example to me that hard conversations are less hard when there is support, positivity, and help finding what is next.

[Liwen Huang]

Make sure that the parents feel that they are listened to and not undermined in the care of their child. Make sure you give objective evidence of any problem and not your judgement.

[allie]

Creating and maintaining a good partnership between parents and childcare providers is essential for the well-being and development of children. Here are some pieces of advice for fostering a strong partnership:

1. Open Communication: Establish a foundation of open and transparent communication with parents. Encourage regular dialogue through various channels such as in-person meetings, phone calls, emails, newsletters, or a communication app. Make sure to listen actively to parents’ concerns, questions, and feedback, and respond promptly with empathy and respect.

2. Build Trust: Foster a trusting relationship by being reliable, consistent, and dependable. Honor commitments, follow through on promises, and maintain confidentiality. Demonstrate professionalism and integrity in all interactions with parents.

3. Collaboration: Embrace a collaborative approach to childcare by involving parents in decision-making processes and program planning. Seek input from parents on their child’s preferences, routines, and developmental goals. Collaborate on strategies for addressing challenges or concerns that may arise.

4. Respect Diversity: Recognize and respect the diversity of families, including differences in culture, language, beliefs, and parenting styles. Create an inclusive environment that celebrates and values the unique backgrounds and experiences of each family. Provide resources and support that are culturally responsive and sensitive to individual needs.

5. Share Information: Keep parents informed about their child’s daily activities, milestones, and progress. Provide regular updates on learning experiences, social interactions, and areas of development. Share observations, assessments, and documentation to involve parents in their child’s learning journey.

6. Establish Boundaries: Maintain clear boundaries and expectations for communication, involvement, and responsibilities. Clarify roles and responsibilities for both parents and childcare providers to prevent misunderstandings or conflicts. Respect each other’s time, space, and privacy.

7. Address Concerns Promptly: Address any concerns or conflicts that may arise with sensitivity and professionalism. Listen to parents’ perspectives and work together to find mutually agreeable solutions. Follow established policies and procedures for resolving disputes or grievances.

8. Foster Positive Relationships: Cultivate a warm, welcoming, and supportive atmosphere that fosters positive relationships between parents, children, and childcare providers. Encourage parents to participate in classroom activities, special events, and parent education workshops to strengthen their connection with the childcare program.

By following these guidelines and actively nurturing the partnership between parents and childcare providers, you can create a supportive and enriching environment that promotes the holistic development and well-being of children.

[Christina Rachelle Fiant]

I think what is most important is to value the family/child relationship and always be seeking to support that the best you can by seeking to learn and understand the family as a whole, their culture, values, and remembering and encouraging their care for their child. Show respect for them, and try to assure them that you want to work with them, we are a team both seeking the best interests for them and their child.

These from the reading stood out to me as great tips in communication:

Just like the first step to creating relationships with children is to establish trust, the same is true with their families.

Welcoming families: the tone of the relationship is set from the beginning so treating newly enrolled families with respect and encouragement is essential. Be sure to continue greeting families warmly every day.

Open communication: create an environment of continuity, with consistent expectations and approaches for children at home and child care.

Positive communication: really hearing families (active listening) and using “I statements” when speaking (more on communication will be in Module 8).

Involvement: engage families in their children’s care support and complement the family’s role as the primary educator.

Building parental self-esteem: find genuine means for communicating how important they are to their child.

Encouraging competence: compliment their efforts, notice their child’s successes, and treat them as knowledgeable partners Acknowledge emotions- provide the language and the confidence that all emotions are acceptable. By building strong relationships with families you are more likely to provide what is best for the child you both care for.

[Marlene White]

Always and end on a positive note. let them know that they are not alone in this and you are with them every step of the way.

[Mackenzie]

My advice for creating and maintaining a good partnership between parents and child care providers is always being upfront and honest but also throwing in positive things so they don’t feel their child is being singled out.

[Mackenzie]

Being polite and professional while maintaining mutual respect is a great way to keep a good partnership between caregivers and families.

[Mason]

my advice is to always maintain good professional communication, be positive in all environments, and keeping a certain level of respect with the families. As well as making sure everyone is asking questions, engaging, and on the same page.

[Tetiana]

Build and maintain open communication, establish trust, and foster collaboration to create a strong partnership between caregivers/parents and childcare providers.

[Jose Antonio Montor Torres]

My advice for creating and maintaining a good partnership between parents and childcare provider is to stablish a good relationship with the family since day one, and always make sure that we as early learning professionals help the families and share community resources with them and show respect in all areas.