Hi, once you've identified the ways that your setting works in partnership with parents it'll be easier to evaluate if they work or not.
For evaluation purposes does the setting maybe ..
- have the opportunity to explain settling in procedures to parents, carers and the children
- are you able to explain how children are helped if they become upset, tired, angry, need a change of clothing.
- share with parents the type of learning and play opportunities the setting offers - long term or continuous and daily
- how are parents updated on their child's development, progress and invited to share any concerns that might arise.
- how do the the ways that you work in partnership with parents, carers and children impact on the management of meals, snacks, allergies and other dietary requirements.
- how is the setting able to ask parents and carers about outings, gain parental permissions and ask for feedback.
- share policies about photography, video use that records children's progress and its use in display & publicity.
Do practitoners greet parents and children in the morning?
--- how effective is that for sharing & gaining information?
Do you have time to discuss a days activity when parents/carers come to collect the children?
Do parents get in touch whenever they want in a way they feel most comfortable - face to face, phone, email
Are there ways that the setting routinely informs and invites parents to be part of the setting ..
Do you have a newsletter
Do you plan meetings for optimum attendance
Do you share feedback forms, surveys, questionairres that invite and enable parents to contribute their thoughts & ideas.
Does the setting have links with other groups, clubs, charities, organisations that it's able to promote and sign-post parents to when appropriate - does this happen verbally, through publications eg. leaflets & flyers, by email - toy library, outdoor activities
Does the setting use the internet for communciating with parents - website, social networking, emails
What activity opportunities are available for parents to share and provide for their children's learning & discovery - in the setting and at home eg. loan systems - books, toys, stay & play, parent help rota
EYMP 1 will help, the
heinemann book pages 221 & 222 explore these aspects :
The partnership model of working with carers:
Open door policy
Observations and assessments
Planning and decision making
Working alongside other practitioners
Pratitioners learning from parents/carers
The emphasis on on personal and individual development
Recognition of the barriers that exist and impact on parents participation
Recognising and understanding the importance of how parents/carers are their child's primary care giver.
CYPOP 1
page 330 suggests and explains the following ways ..
- involving parents in observing their children
- involving parents in planning with you
- involving parents in the running of the setting
- involving parents in the recruitment of staff - having a parent representative on the interview panel
- Asking parents for feedback
Good background reading is
Charles Desforges - The Impact of Parental Involvement, Parental Support and Family Education on Pupil Achievements and Adjustment
on PEAL
Home learning environments -
Family and Parenting.org
Every Parent matters 2007's complimentary publication - helping you help your child
Education.gov.uk
I hope this helps xx