“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Evidence of family engagement
Element 6.1.1: Engagement with the service. Families are supported from enrolment to be involved in the service and contribute to service decisions.
Does your service implement a range of strategies to encourage family input and involvement at your service?
For many services, gaining family input and involvement can often feel like it’s a one-way street. It’s important not to feel discouraged and to continue to use a variety of strategies to encourage family input. Building strong, respectful, supportive, collaborative relationships from the time of enrolment assists families to feel welcome and valued at the service. It’s important that services consider the diversity of family needs and their preferences and use this knowledge to inform decision making around seeking family input.
When families (including extended family members) are actively involved in the service everyone involved benefits:
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- enhances learning outcomes
- promotes emotional well-being
- builds trust
- builds stronger relationships
- supports families to experience a sense of belonging
- provides cultural and customised support
- encourages positive behaviour
- creates a nurturing and supportive environment
- assists educators to better understand and learn more about the children’s individual family contexts, enabling them to better cater to individual needs.
Documenting family participation:
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- Take photos of families (with consent) participating in various events/activities such as morning teas, picnics, Grandparent’s Day, participation in the program or cultural events. These can be shared in the newsletter, the Service’s information sharing app or a digital photo album at the parent sign in/out area.
- Provide opportunities for families to make comments and provide feedback or offer suggestions for further events.
- Provide opportunities for families to share their views and feedback on the program and menu.
- Use the Service newsletter and other written methods to gain input from families about Service decisions.
- Invite family input during the review of the Service’s statement of philosophy, policies and procedures.
- Invite parents and families to be involved in the parent management committee and attend the AGM (Annual General Meeting). Share meeting minutes with families and invite feedback.
- Provide opportunities for families to contribute to the Service Quality Improvement Plan
- Invitations for quality improvement of the physical environment- suggestions for upgrading play equipment, installing a compost area, a garden, veggie patch or recycling system, ensuring the playground is accessible for all children.
- Ensure you document and keep a record of feedback, interactions and conversations as evidence of family involvement.
Resources:
Building Partnerships with Families
How to generate family involvement in service management
Case Study: Increase parent involvement in governing councils/Management Committees
First Impressions, Lasting Impressions
Within System7 go to Quality Area 6/Module 6 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has a range of resources to assist services with family engagement. These include Orientation of Families Policy, Open Door Policy, Family Participation Form, General Satisfaction Survey, Orientation Survey for New Parents, Photography Permission Letter, Family Goals Template and much more.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – QA 6/ 6.1.1- Engagement with the service
National Regulations – 73, 76, 111, 157, 168, 172
System7 Module – QA 6/ Module 6
If you have any questions send us a note via the Contact page here!
