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Acknowledgement Liz Hodgman

‘Parents and practitioners have a lot to learn from each other. This can help them to support and extend children’s learning and development.’

Have you spoken to your minded parents about EYFS?
Have you shown them your information pack?
Or given them a copy of the Parent Download sheet

Do you inform parents of the training that you attend?
Do you share the knowledge that you have gained with them? You might even find it helpful to give parents copies of relevant handouts.

Some Childminders have developed a file of information on local childcare services and child related issues. These may be leaflets or articles from childcare magazines such as Nursery World or Child Care. This can provide an excellent information resource to share with parents.

Parents are experts on their own child, so it is vital that Childminders learn from them as much as they can about their child. Childminders also need to learn from Parents about their culture, religion and family background. This will greatly enhance the care and education they provide. If a child has a special or additional need then usually Parents are the best source of information and support with regards to resources and specialist services available.

 

‘Parents should review their children’s progress regularly and contribute to their child’s learning and development record.’

How do you share the progress of their child?

You might consider making a learning story for each child. Why not ask Parents to contribute photographs to add to the portfolio? Ask them to let you know about any milestones achieved so that they can be included. Why not use a BCMA EYFS Observation booklet to record the child’s development and share this with parents on a weekly basis.

Parents should also be involved in your planning, informing you of any special cultural, religious or family events/festivals.

 

 

‘Parents can be helped to understand more about learning and teaching through workshops on important areas such as play, outdoor learning or early reading. Some parents may go on to access further education at their own level.’

Childminders will not be expected to run workshops for families, however they should be aware of the parenting courses that are being organised locally, maybe in a Children’s Centre and be able to signpost parents.

Involving parents in your work through activities such as Travelling Teddies  will help them understand about their child’s learning and the framework that you work to in a non threatening way.

 

 

‘In true partnership, parents understand and contribute to the policies in the setting.’

Do you provide your parents with a set of your policies and procedures?

Ask them if they could make any suggestions for improvements and if there are any areas that need further clarification or information. When developing new policies ask for their input, sometimes they will see things differently from you.

LEARNING TOGETHER