1. Teamwork! Creating a Positive Partnership with Parents Janet K Peterson 2012 1

2. Children, Parents, & Families: The Whole Child Body Mind Feelings 2

3. Children, Parents, & Families: Many Influences Child Family Child Care Neighborhood Teachers & peers 3

4. Children, Parents, & Families: Parent Development O The Image Making Stage O The Nurturing Stage (infant) O The Authority Stage (toddler – preschool) O The Interpretive Stage (age 5 - elementary school) O The Interdependent Stage O The Departure Stage 4

5. Children, Parents, & Families: Parent Development O In small groups, talk about one stage… O What are some feelings parents may often have at this stage? O What information do they need most at this stage? O What can you do daily/weekly/or once in awhile to support the parent at this stage? *remember your professional role 5

6. Children, Parents, & Families: Learning Family Culture O Behavior guidance O Food & feeding O Sleeping O Expectations regarding respect O Primary language O Celebrations O Spirituality & religion 6

7. Benefits of Partnering with Parents O For you – the child care provider: O Seeing the child confident and secure in your care = satisfaction in your work O Easier to guide behavior and teach the child new things when you know them well through their family’s eyes O Learning about other families = = new knowledge O Involved families enrich your program! 7

8. Benefits of Partnering with Parents O For the child: O Emotional security O Their needs are understood better O Consistency between home and child care makes sense! O Children learn about relationships by watching adults interact O Positive relationships impact development 8

9. Benefits of Partnering with Parents O For Parents: O Many parents are single and lack family support O Security replaces an “anxious hope” that children are cared for within the family’s values O Knowledge of child development O Knowledge of helpful resources 9

10. Building the Team with Professional Business Practices O First Connections – Orientation O Get to know the family and child O Explain your environment and what your goals are for children 10

11. Building the Team with Professional Business Practices O Parent Handbook O Give parents a written contract & policies O Describe expectations O Of parents O Of the program O 4-6 pages O Review it annually 11

12. www.nafcc.org 12

13. CCR&R 563-324-3236 13

14. Maintaining the Partnership with Professional Business Practices O Daily Communication O Postings O Newsletters O How do you do it? In small groups share your strategies for daily notes, newsletters, and posting information 14

15. Maintaining the Partnership with Professional Business Practices O Evaluations O Gives you a picture of your program from the other side O Starts conversations before they become problems O 1-2 times a year O Can coincide with a conference… 15

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17. Maintaining the Partnership with Professional Business Practices O Conferences O Hold 2 times a year O Offer to visit the child’s home for the meeting O Create a relaxed, friendly discussion O 45 minutes – 1 hour O Both parents and provider should share O positive things about the child O ways you’ve seen the child grow O goals for future growth O concerns Always end with positives! 17

18. Maintaining the Partnership: Getting Parents Involved O Ideas and donated materials O Help with special activities O Social events to create support and connections between families O Other? O Roadblocks to Involvement O Time O Feelings O Interest (Dads!) 18

19. Maintaining the Partnership: When there are Problems O R - Reflect on feelings & listen O E - Explain your point of view O R - Reason for your point of view O U - Understand situation from both sides O N - Negotiate a solution Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2009). Child, Family, and Community - Family-Centered Early Care and Education. 19

20. Teamwork with Parents Requires: O Understanding the child, parents, & families as a unit O Parent development O Family culture O Building the team O Orientation & parent handbook O Maintaining the team O Communication O Evaluation & conferences O Involve parents O Resolve conflicts professionally 20

21. Create an Action Plan O What did you hear today that you would like to implement? O What do you need in order to do it? O More information? O Materials? O Peer support? O When do think you can start? Janet Peterson jkpete52806@yahoo.com 21