New Hampshire Child Care Resource & Referral Network

If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.
Rachel Carson

Providing Quality

Parent Partnerships

High quality programs seek to develop partnerships with parents. Parents want most to have a trusting relationship with their provider, knowing that their child is safe, nurtured and well-cared for. When we act professionally, parents will recognize the knowledge and experience we have in child development, but as providers it is our responsibility to recognize that parents are the experts on their child. Establishing lines of communication early on facilitates the development of this relationship. Communication can take place on a variety of levels and in a variety of ways. It can be written, verbal or pictorial. Written communication can be personal notes to parents, general notes to a group of parents, journals or daily documentation of a child’s day. It could be in paper or email form. Verbal communication can take place face to face or over the phone. Pictorial communication can be photos (with parental permission) that document a child’s learning. Digital photography has made it much easier to print photos and create documentation panels or bulletin boards, to include in journals or to email photos to parents (again, with parental permission). The level of communication can also vary from a warm greeting to an in-depth conference.

Children and family members should always be acknowledged by name when entering or leaving a program space. This is the first step towards developing a respectful relationship with parents. If you notice something about a child that varies from typical development or face a challenge with a child, ask the parents if they have noticed the same thing or what they have done when faced with the same challenge. This gives them the first opportunity to respond and will give you a clue to the family’s awareness of and response to the situation. Then you can respond in a more thoughtful way so as not to appear either too directive or belittling. Parents will appreciate being asked. Many high quality programs also survey their parents to determine parent satisfaction and where improvements might be made.

Quality indicators include:

• Low Child to Staff Ratios and Small Group Size

• A Continuity of Care

• A System of Primary Caregiving

• A Partnership with Parents

• A Qualified Staff

• A Professional Staff

• A Safe Environment

• A Healthy Environment

• Opportunities for Play

• Appropriate Toys and Materials for Learning

• An Esthetically Pleasing Environment

• Positive Guidance and Discipline

• Regular Program Assessment

• Accreditation

This website is offered, under Agreement with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Children, Youth and Families, Child Development Bureau, with funds provided in part or in whole by the State of New Hampshire and/or United States Department of Health and Human Services.