Parent Partnership

Clever Clogs Pre-school.

6.1 Parental Involvement

Policy Statement
We believe that children benefit most from early years education and care when parents are settings work together in partnership.
Our aim is to support parents as their children’s first and most important educators by involving them in their children’s education and in the full life of the setting. We also aim to support parents in their own continuing education, personal development and emotional wellbeing.
Some parents are less well represented in early years settings; these include fathers, parents who live apart from their children but who still play a part in their lives as well as working parents. In carrying out the following procedures, we will ensure all parents are included.
When we refer to ‘parents’ we mean both mothers and fathers; these include both natural or birth parents as well as step-parents and parents who do not live with their children, but have contact with them and play a part in their lives. ‘Parents’ also includes same sex parents as well as foster parents.

Procedures

• We have a means to ensure all parents are included – that may mean we have different strategies for involving fathers or parents who work or live apart from their children.
• We consult with all parents to find out what works best for them.
• We ensure ongoing dialogue with parents to improve our knowledge of the needs of their children and to support their families.
• We inform all parents about how the setting is run and its policies through access to written information and through regular informal communication, by a regular newsletter.
• We encourage and support parents to play an active part in the setting – by sending questionnaires to the parents/carers to see how we can improve our practice.
• We inform all parents on a regular basis about their children’s progress.
• We involve parents in the shared record keeping about their children – either informally or informally – and ensure parents have access to their children’s written development records. 
• We provide opportunities for parents to contribute their own skills, knowledge and interests to the activities of the setting.
• We inform parents about the times of meetings to avoid excluding anyone.
• We provide information about opportunities to be involved in the setting in ways that are accessible to parents with basic skills needs, or those for whom English is an additional language.
• We hold meetings in venues that are accessible and appropriate for all.
• We welcome the contribution of parents, in whatever form these may take.
• We inform all parents of the systems for registering queries, complaints or suggestions and check to ensure these are understood. All parents have access to our written complains procedure.
• We provide opportunities for parents to learn about the curriculum offered in the setting and about young children’s learning, in the setting and at home.
• We have regular open days and themed weeks such as ‘Grandparents week’

In compliance with the Welfare Requirements, the following documentation is in place:

• Admissions policy.
• Complaints procedure.
• Record of complaints.
• Developmental records of children.

Date: September 2021
Reviewed by: Hannah Miller (Deputy Manager)
A review of the Parent Partnership policy was carried out.

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