Maintaining a good relationship needs a lot of information for it to work, it is essential for the parents to be involved as they are the MOST important person in the child’s life. Without communication and information a small problem can quickly turn into a large problem which will be more difficult to solve.
The parents are the ones that know their child the best and also hold the key to all their little ways.
We as childminders help the children to develop to their best potential, by involving the parents we can all work together on the same page to give the child the consistency they need to develop.
Good communication is a vital part of the relationship between parents, children and childminders; this will make sure that the child and parents know how they are getting on and what has been happening whilst the child is in your setting. This can be maintained by regular meetings to discuss the child’s progress and also any problems that may be occurring. These discussions may reveal changes in the child’s home/social life so will have to be handled sensitively.
When the parents have decided to use my service I will give them a copy of my contract and ask them to take it away to read and to sign it.
In the first meeting the parents will be given all the information needed to make a decision whether or not to send their child to me. This information could include availability and costing, I will also give a tour of my facilities and an explanation of the activities that I will provide.
Routines are important in a child’s life, where possible I will endeavour to work with them. Every child’s needs are different, from nap times to special diets etc. From the first session with the child/parents I will work with them both to find out their needs and have them planned into the days activities.
An agreement will be made between myself and the parents to provide what the child needs to develop and anything that the child is or is not allowed, e.g.