Many families find childcare services to be an important part of their everyday routine. Children with two working parents are not uncommon to spend more than 35 hours per week in a childcare facility. Some children spend up to half of their waking hours during the week away from home. It is, therefore, vital that parents and childcare workers work together to ensure that their children receive the best possible care.
Families and childcare professionals have always communicated whenever necessary. For example, if an injury occurs or there is a behavioural concern that needs further attention. Current best practices recognize that communication between parents and childcare workers about daily essentials and activities helps them to support their children better. Parents and childcare workers can better care for children with increased communication and collaboration.
Proactive communication also allows for a solution-focused approach to any problems or issues before they become bigger. Care workers can anticipate that a child is overtired or easily overstimulated if they know the child has woken up late or not slept well. Parents will be informed if their child does not eat enough throughout the day and may feel hungrier or show early signs of illness (loss in appetite).
Increased communication and the focus on effective communication will contribute to a stronger relationship between caregivers and parents. Here are a few tips to improve communication between childcare workers and families.
Stay informed
Communication with parents helps them prepare their children to face the daily challenges. You must stay informed about what’s going on in your child’s daycare centre by checking the communication resources. ChildWatch is a great application because it simplifies the process by providing tools such as a parent portal, which gives parents easy access to everything they need. This includes but is not limited to event schedules and documentation about their child’s activities.
Know your Options
Be sure to know the preferred method of communication so that everyone can communicate easily and seamlessly. Ask if you can chat quickly at the time of drop-off or pick-up, if it is more convenient to send a text or email, or if communication will be easier via an app. ChildWatch also offers a variety of services that include messaging features to help you communicate.
Be Respectful
Respect is the key to any effective communication. Both parties need to be aware of their tone and assume good intentions. Families and parents should be considerate of the caregivers’ time and send them messages during working hours. To the contrary, childcare workers must respect parents’ parenting styles, religious and cultural values and beliefs, and parenting arrangements.
Ask Questions if Uncertain
Questioning others can lead to meaningful discussions and reduce confusion. Even at the best times, children can be confusing. It is important to clarify any confusion or concerns you may have about their care. Ask for clarification instead of making assumptions. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page when making decisions about child care.
Communication is essential in any relationship, but it is especially important between childcare workers. The best childcare is a collaborative effort between all adults involved in the child’s development. It is important to prioritize good communication between parents, childcare providers, and other adults involved in the child’s life.
