At Westview Child Care Center, we firmly believe that building strong partnerships with parents is essential for a child’s overall well-being and success. We recognize the importance of open communication, trust, and collaboration in creating a rich and supportive environment. In this post, we explore our commitment to fostering parent-provider partnerships and how we involve parents in their child’s care journey.
Effective communication is the foundation of a successful parent-provider partnership. At Westview Child Care Center, we prioritize open and transparent communication with parents.We provide various channels for regular updates, including newsletters, emails, and a dedicated parent portal through Procare where important announcements, schedules, and resources are shared. Parents can reach out to us with questions, concerns, or feedback, and we ensure prompt and thorough responses.
To establish a strong partnership right from the start, we offer a comprehensive orientation program for new families. During this session, parents have an opportunity to meet our dedicated staff, tour the facility, and gain insights into our curriculum and policies. We encourage parents to ask questions, share their expectations, and provide valuable information about their child, enabling us to create a personalized and nurturing experience.
Regular Family Meetings play a vital role in understanding a child’s progress, strengths, and areas of interest. We schedule a Family Meeting one month after enrollment begins to check-in with families on their child’s transition and seek parents’ feedback on our program’s abilityto meet their care needs. We also schedule Family Meetings once a year, providing parents with a detailed update on their child’s development, social interactions, and exciting milestones. These meetings foster open dialogue, allowing parents and teachers to discuss strategies, set goals, and work together to support the child’s growth and development.
Our curriculum is designed to stimulate curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in our young learners. We welcome parent involvement in our curriculum planning, seeking input and insights to create a well-rounded educational experience. By considering families’ perspectives and cultural backgrounds, we ensure that our curriculum Is inclusive and meaningful for every child.
More on "Emergent Curriculum".
We understand the importance of continuity between our center and home learning environments. To reinforce this connection, we communicate the themes, learning goals, and objectives for each child and classroom. With this information, parents can actively engage in their child’s learning journey and extend the learning experience at home.
At Westview Child Care Center, we understand that involving families in their child’s education creates a stronger partnership. We organize a range of family engagement events, such as themed get-togethers and holiday celebrations. These events create a sense of community and strengthen the bond between parents, children, and our center.
Westview Child Care Center hosts informative parent workshops on various topics related to child development, parenting strategies, and early education. These workshops provide a platform for parents to connect, exchange ideas, and learn together. In collaboration with Westview Health Care Center’s experts, including speech-language pathologists, nurses, sports medicine professionals, physical therapists, and athletic trainers, we offer a range of enriching seminars and hands on demonstrations—providing parents with valuable insights and essential knowledge on topics such as speech and language development, nutrition, sports safety, communicable diseases, infection prevention, physical therapy, and first aid. Our goal is to ensure parents have practical tools to actively support their child’s well-being and feel confident in nurturing their child’s growth beyond our child care center.
One of our most cherished initiatives is “Milk & Cookies with the Director.” Once a month, we invite parents and guardians to join us for a relaxed and informal morning gathering during drop-off in the reception area, where they can meet face to face with the director and other key staff members. This casual setting provides a unique opportunity for parents to ask questions, share their experiences, provide feedback directly to the leadership team, and get asweet treat to start the day. We believe this personal connection builds a sense of belonging within our center’s community. Enjoy a delightful spread of milk and cookies while engaging in meaningful conversations! We are committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative environment, where every parent’s voice is valued and heard.
Please reach out to me directly at any time with any questions about our program. We look forward to partnering with you on this enriching journey of parenting and supporting your child’s bright future.
Posted on July 26, 2023
by Katy Holzer, Director