Working with Parents
We work extremely hard to develop an effective partnership with parents in order to enhance the learning and development of each child within Sunbeams. We value parent's input into the setting and know how beneficial this is to the child’s learning and well-being.
We work together with parents to encourage them to be involved in their child’s learning and development both within Nursery and at home. Two-way communication is essential, it allows us to work together, share ideas and value and respect each other’s views which, in turn, provides the best outcomes for children.
Keeping Parents Informed
At Sunbeams we make this two-way communication effective by having home-setting diaries which we write in each day to inform the parent about their child’s day. We put things in such as photo’s or observations informing parent’s about their child’s learning and add in ideas to extend this learning at home.
Parents are encouraged to write in anything they feel is appropriate to their child’s learning and development that they feel we should know. Parents are encouraged to share this diary with any other providers the child may attend for their additional comments and to share in the Sunbeams experience. In this way we are working in collaboration and consistently to promote the child’s learning and development.
Stay & Play
We provide other opportunities for parents to be involved in their child’s learning and development through things such as- ‘stay and play’ sessions, observations at home, home reading folders, homework sheets. We also invite parents into the setting to talk to the children about their job or about a skill/hobby they have. We have a DVD that we lend out to parents which is designed to help parents/carers get involved in their child’s learning.
Development Profile
Each child has their own developmental profile which records the child’s progress and experiences throughout their time at Sunbeams. Parents are encouraged to look through and contribute to their child’s profile as often as they like.
We also have parents’ evenings and information nights that inform parents about the different stages and areas of children’s learning and development, what experiences we provide for the children in order for them to learn and develop and also to inform parents how their child is progressing within the setting.
Working to EYFS Guidelines
‘Parents are children’s first educators. When parents and practitioners work together in early years settings, the results have a positive impact on children’s development and learning.’ (EYFS 2008)
This statement is taken from the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and forms part of our ethos, our policies and our procedures here at Sunbeams. Parents and practitioners alike at Sunbeams have seen first hand the positive effects of this ethos and how effective it is in practice. In a recent quality questionnaire parents have commented that they feel they are fully informed, supported and involved in their children’s learning and development.
Mummy I saw myself on television (African World Cup Day featured on Calendar & GMTV)
