| Day care providers should grab every available | | | | and without feeling judged. You should be seen as |
| opportunity to involve parents and welcome their | | | | open, friendly and professional and as such, should |
| input. When parents participate in a child care | | | | view complaints as constructive criticism and a |
| service it makes for a very rewarding and | | | | means to improving the quality of your day care |
| positive experience for all concerned including the | | | | service. Thank parents for bringing issues to your |
| children. You can share insights that you have | | | | attention and deal with the problem immediately. |
| gleaned from observing the child at day care and | | | | It is important to have a complaints procedure in |
| in return parents can provide a wealth of valuable | | | | place so that staff are empowered to deal with |
| information giving you a holistic picture of the child. | | | | certain issues whilst management step in for |
| The opportunity to share ideas and methods | | | | more serious incidents. Perhaps have a suggestion |
| about what works and otherwise regarding | | | | box where parents are welcome to offer |
| individual children can be achieved by this mutual | | | | suggestions/criticism anonymously. |
| cooperation. Respecting, valuing and listening by | | | | Have parents involved from the outset by |
| both parties enriches the day care experience for | | | | including them in an orientation visit and the |
| all concerned. Provider can take into account | | | | settling in procedure. Form a parent's committee |
| family values and beliefs whilst parents can learn | | | | so they have a collective voice thus encouraging |
| much about their newly independent, interactive | | | | positive interaction. Integrate a key worker |
| child from the carer. Information sharing should be | | | | system into your day care so parents have a |
| ongoing and opportunities for communication | | | | daily point of contact regarding their child. Provide |
| should be provided formally and informally. | | | | information about weekly scheduling and activities |
| In order to maximize the effectiveness of this | | | | either by posting details on the noticeboard or |
| sharing process assess your staff and their | | | | sending out a newsletter. Share daily information |
| abilities in the area of working and communicating | | | | both verbally and writing so that there is no |
| with parents. Perhaps they need training and | | | | misunderstanding or confusion as to meaning. |
| guidelines in order that they communicate | | | | Have a website with a blog where you can post |
| effectively and professionally. How can staff be | | | | comments about goings on at the day care and |
| supported so that they don't feel constantly | | | | parents can, in turn, post comments. Include a |
| harangued and scrutinized? Consider your current | | | | staff page with information and photos. |
| timetable and staffing levels - do these currently | | | | Parental involvement in your day care can |
| allow for time to be spent with parents and any | | | | potentially provide you with untold resources |
| subsequent follow ups? Try to think of innovative | | | | heretofore untapped. If parents feel valued and |
| ways for parents to become more involved e.g. | | | | supported they will in turn want to give back. |
| they could be a guest speaker and talk to the | | | | Opening up channels of communication and sharing |
| children about a topic of expertise, they could | | | | can avoid many misunderstandings and conflicts |
| offer to volunteer at the day care occasionally. | | | | that are borne out of lack of information. So, |
| You should have a complaints procedure in place | | | | make sure your day care is friendly, welcoming |
| that allows parents to air their grievances easily | | | | and open. A relaxed parent is a happy parent. |