Strategies for Child Care Providers to Connect with Parents

Studies show that children do better in child care when there is consistency in care between home and their child care setting. Additionally, as a child care provider, having an open and respectful relationship with parents makes it easier to provide care for their child, bring up issues and create mutual solutions. Begin by setting up a general environment that "communication friendly". Emphasize the importance of communication when enrolling, post information on readily visible bulletin boards and continue to refer to them. Use short routine newsletters to share information about what is happening in your program. You may also have a drop box for parents to share written information. Investing in the relationship with parents will help strengthen the level of care you provide to the children in your care and make caring for them easier when you have their support.

When more complicated issues arise use these tips to help create an outcome that both you and the parent are happy with.

Prepare for success
Schedule a time and place to talk away from the child.

Be positive
Talk about the good things you see in a child. Show that you are interested and want to help.

Listen, listen, listen
Do not interrupt to say what you would have done. Be attentive and not to show that you are listening and interested.

Ask open-ended questions
Some questions might be: What do you do when......? How you you feel when.....? What have you noticed at home? Remember the parent knows their child.

Be flexible
Talk to parents on their own level. Meet in a comfortable place at a mutually convenient time. Do not present your ideas first. Listen to their opinions and work together.

Begin where the parent is
Help the parent feel relaxed and comfortable. Encourage the parent to talk. Find out what he or she likes about the child, what the parent's concerns are, and where the parent wants to go next. Think developmentally.

Make comments thoughtful
Use your comments to reassure and encourage parents or to carefully direct parents to relevant matters. Make sure you use the language of the parent.

Good relationships take time
Working with parents is a process. It takes time to develop rapport and trust. Do not try to do everything in one short meeting. Effective communication takes time.

Consider culture
People from varying cultures may have different assumptions about communication styles, but people from all cultures appreciate kindness and courtesy.