CONNECTION WITH FAMILIES
Relationship with Families
We take great pride in the relationship that we develop with families during their time with us – and beyond. We have stayed connected with many of our families and their children - some of whom now enrol their children at the Centre!
We value families and parents as children’s first and most influential teachers. By developing partnerships with families during the enrolment/orientation process, we get to know each child within the context of their home life. By developing goals and strategies together with families, we can successfully develop continuity of care between home and school.
Throughout the year, educators implement an ongoing process of observing, analysing, planning and reflecting to guide and support each child’s learning and development. By including families in this “analysis of learning” we gain a deep insight into how children know what they know. Strong, embedded partnerships with families help us to develop goals and learning opportunities for individual children as well as for the group.
Storypark
Storypark is our online portfolio platform that allows our educators and families to share information about the children through narratives, photos and videos. Family information about a child’s interest or recent outing helps us to integrate that interest into the curriculum and we share with families their child’s activities through the day and learning outcomes being achieved. Information that you share with us is not seen by other families.
Parents have the ability to share their information with extended family members and friends as they see fit.
The Centre also uses Storypark to communicate general information and messages to families (see below).
Communicating with Families
We communicate with families in a number of ways to ensure the channels of communication remain open and strong.
These include:
Daily interaction between educators and families where we exchange information and discuss their child’s day
Posting photos, narratives and videos on Storypark
Distributing via email and Storypark our monthly newsletters which inform families of upcoming events, policy changes, program planning, community information, useful websites etc.
Parent Meetings (see below)
Notice Board where we display a range of information such as key policies, community information and services available, weekly menu etc.
Parents pockets where we exchange personal information with you
Parent Meetings
We have Parent Meetings each term which involve:
decision-making on the Centre’s policies
evaluation and development of the curriculum
discussion about general issues and latest news
Hearing from guest speakers on topics such as positive parenting, sibling rivalry, school readiness etc
Election of the Parent Committee at the Annual General Meeting.
Parent Involvement
We and the children enjoy having parents visiting the Centre to share their talents and skills with the children. The children not only enjoy these experiences but benefit from them as well, often experiencing these activities for the first time such as a magic show or puppet show or playing a musical instrument. But it can be as simple as reading a story, doing craft or doing a dance - or sharing a part of your cultural background. Such activities often lead to extended experiences and learning outcomes for the children eg a parent coming in to plant a seedling may lead to discussion and learning about the life cycle of a plant, what plants need to grow and the importance of caring for the environment. Parent visits are rich and valuable additions to our curriculum and also help build our relationships with families. We warmly welcome such visits.
Family Events
We have a number of family events throughout the year for families to get together and socialise and share in the children’s experiences at our Centre. These include:
Father/Children’s Night & Mother/Children’s Night
On these dedicated nights, the children come to the Centre with their Mum/Dad and do activities such as playing games, doing puzzles, working with playdough, building with blocks, doing music and dancing.
Both the parent and the child enjoy these special evenings which continue to be talked about weeks later.
Sunflower Growing in Spring
Each Spring, we grow sunflowers in our front garden and send seeds home (in a terrarium) to all families encouraging them to do the same. Through this, children learn what plants need to grow and show great pride in sending photos to us of the growth of their sunflowers.
This is all part of our Centre’s celebration of the natural world and has evolved into a wonderful family and extended family event that helps connect us all.
Family Disco/BBQ
We hold a family disco/BBQ at a local high school hall where all families and extended families are invited to come and join in the fun and music and the dancing. For the weeks leading up to the event, children learn some songs and dance routines (based on their interests) and have a wonderful time with glow sticks, light shows and smoke machines!
Graduation Night
We hold a Graduation Night for children going to school the following year. Children dress in graduation gowns and perform some songs and are presented with a trophy. They also receive a certificate with an individual message for each child which is read out on the night.
These are special occasions for families – many of which are saying goodbye to our Centre after many years of their children attending.
Christmas Concert
We hold a Christmas Concert (also at the school hall) where all children do a performance in front of a packed audience of proud parents, grandparents and extended family and friends. Santa pays a visit with presents for all the children, followed by a plethora of party food!
NOTE: All these functions are put on free of charge by the Centre. We have no fund-raising events of any kind (apart from optional charity appeals – see ‘Connection With Our Community’)