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You May Print or Save Handouts for Reference
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A partnership is when both parties have equally important and unique roles in children’s lives. A true partnership is a supportive collaboration based on mutual interests. Both the care provider and the family member want the best for the child. What does that look like? Consider the following excerpt from the Child Care Center Licensing Guidebook (p.89):
Parents are the child’s first and most important teachers and have the greatest influence in their children’s lives. In order to meet the needs of children in your care, you and your staff will want to establish a positive relationship with each child’s family. Best Practice: Teachers and families work closely in partnership to ensure high quality care and learning experiences for children and parents feel supported and welcomed as observers and contributors to the program. Caregivers need to listen to parents, seek to understand their goals and preferences for their children, and respect cultural and family differences. Parents should feel welcomed when they enter the classroom. Parents should be encouraged to observe, eat lunch with their child and/or volunteer to help in the classroom. On Handout 5, take a look at the excerpt from the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct section on responsibilities to families.
Optional Online Resources for Further Study
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Obstacles to Partnerships
Sometimes the sought-after partnership is not harmonious when families and care providers feel conflict with one another. When care providers are unable to connect with family members—who themselves may be struggling with guilt or worry about leaving their child in another’s care—this can lead to “emotional powder kegs.”
Common reasons for conflict include:
- Lack of time and few opportunities for communication
- Lack of understanding and appreciation of backgrounds, (culture, education, communication style, job status, income, class, race, religion, language, etc.)
- Differences in values and views of children
- Mismatch in modes of communication
Real partnerships between home and child care are possible when conflicts are recognized and resolved. Remember that YOU are the professional—the families of children in your care are the clients or customers. All parties want the best for the children involved. More about professionalism will be discussed in Module 10.