“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Families are supported.
Element 6.1.3: Current information is available to families about the service and relevant community services and resources to support parenting and family wellbeing.
Does your Service work collaboratively with families and implement a range of practices to continually support them in their parenting roles, fostering a wholistic approach and positive outcomes for children?
As we know, ensuring collaborative relationships and partnerships with families and communities are central in achieving quality, shared outcomes for children. Supporting families in ECEC is crucial as it fosters a holistic approach towards children’s development and wellbeing. When families are engaged and supported, they are better equipped to reinforce developmental goals at home, address developmental milestones, and contribute to a positive learning environment. This collaborative approach not only strengthens the child’s development but also builds a stronger community, creating a network of support that benefits both children and their families. By valuing and facilitating family engagement, Service’s ensure that children receive consistent, nurturing, and comprehensive support that is essential for their growth and success.
With your team, reflect on the various ways in which you support families, consider how this can be improved on. What strategies can be implemented to better support families in their parenting roles?
Consistent communication and continual support:
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- Educators are readily available to engage in informal discussions with parents/guardians at mutually convenient times
- Educators sensitively referring families to relevant community services and resources
- The service uses several methods to communicate relevant and significant information about:
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- service operations
- policies and procedures
- changes to policies and procedures prior to implementation
- the educational program, practice, menu and routines
- their child’s wellbeing and development
- community services, resources and local events
- information from established early childhood services and relevant authorities to assist families in their parenting roles
- the service’s self-assessment and Quality Improvement Planning journey
- assessment and rating
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- The service uses several methods to request and receive information and feedback about:
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- service operations
- how families prefer to receive information
- policies and procedures
- educational program, practice and routines
- practices specific to their child’s individual needs and development
- the service’s statement of philosophy
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Accessibility of information:
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- Service information is readily available at the time of enrolment e.g., family handbook, relevant policies and procedures, Service philosophy
- Service information is always available and at parent’s request
- Information about community services is regularly shared with families and available in areas regularly used and easily accessible to families
- There is opportunity for information about community services to be accessed in confidence
- Relevant information about the service and community services is available in languages represented at the service and within the local community
- Families are provided with the opportunity to access relevant information in their own time e.g., online through the Service website, information sharing apps or email correspondence
- Educators are readily available to engage in informal discussions with parents/guardians at mutually convenient times
- Educators keep up to date about community services, events and support services to ensure knowledge and information is readily available for parents/guardians upon request
- The service requests and follows feedback regarding families preferred methods of communication and how they receive information
Resources:
The Early Education Show – Element 6.1.3
Supportive relationships with families-case study
Within System7 go to Quality Area 6/ Modules 10-13 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 supporting families. These include Family Handbook template, monthly Newsletter templates, Philosophy Development and Review Procedure, family surveys, Support Services Referral Form and much more.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – Element 6.1.3: Families are supported
National Regulations – 75, 76, 80, 111, 157, 168, 169, 171, 172
System7 Module – QA 6/ Modules 10-13
If you have any questions send us a note via the Contact page here!
