Through open communication and firm commitment, we are keen to develop a mutual level of respect that will consequently lead to positive relationships with children, staff and parents that will grow from strength to strength in the coming years.
The policy Play Together Creche is to encourage open and proactive communication within the organisation. In order to achieve this, we provide an open door policy whereby we would encourage each member of staff to communicate any issues or concerns that they may have. We have a Comments and Complaints policy to address any issues that parents may wish to raise and we listen to children’s opinions and interests when planning our activities and curriculum.
Communicating and Interacting with Children:
At Play Together Creche we believe that effective adult-child interaction is essential to a successful early childhood service. Appropriate language must be used at all times when dealing with children. Adult conversations should never take place in front of children. What happened at the weekend is employee room talk not classroom talk. When talking with a child it is best to do so at child’s eye level. It displays respect and in turn gains the respect of the child. Children should never be shouted at or screamed at in Play Together Creche.
Staff should encourage positive interactions between children. They should actively engage in interactions with children individually and in groups and support in the development of relationships between both children and staff and children together.
Staff at Play Together Creche look for natural openings in children's play and then join the child or children at their physical level. As a pretend play partners, adults take roles assigned by children and stay within the play scenario the children have created.
Staff look for opportunities for conversations with children about the activities children are engaged in. Staff make comments about the child's activities that allow the conversation to continue without pressuring the child for a response.
Staff at Play Together Creche should ensure that:
• We offer a warm, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere
• Children are comfortable and appear relaxed
• Interactions between staff and children are positive
• There are opportunities for children to play in pairs, groups or individually.
• Siblings and children of different age groups mix during the day
• They use encouragement instead of praise- Rather than statements that evaluate or judge, staff make objective, specific comments that encourage children to expand their descriptive language and think about what they are doing.
• Whenever possible, they encourage children to solve problems for themselves. While adults could often solve the problem more easily by taking over, the goal is for children to develop their own problem-solving abilities through trial and error.
• They read and understand the Childcare policies and procedures we have developed
Communicating with Colleagues:
Staff should inform the Manager if they are leaving the service premises during breaks or lunch time. This is vital for fire regulation procedures. Staff are required to sign in and out when entering or leaving the building.
All employees should be up to date on all the children attending the service especially when there is a change in the child’s home background that may induce disruptive or abnormal behaviour, e.g. a new sibling, parents separation, etc.
Any information received from a parent regarding a child should be passed on to the Manager as soon as possible.
Communicating with the Manager:
The Manager is there to support advise staff and help where necessary. Any incidents that staff are concerned about should be brought to the attention of a Manager no matter how minor or small the concern may seem to be.
During staff supervision sessions it is advisable to bring to the attention of the Manager any worries, thoughts or concerns you may have. If a staff member is concerned for a child’s development and or behaviour a Manager must be consulted.
Building Positive Relationships with Families
A strong connection between families and child care providers is essential for building a positive environment for young children. Miscommunication, or limited communication between adults, can lead to situations that adversely affect all of the parties involved. Staff may not discuss with parents any concerns about their child without first discussing the matter with the Manager. Any developmental or behavioural concerns should be looked at in accordance with the Child Development policy before making any judgements.
Following are some tips for families and child care professionals on how to build win/win relationships.
It’s important for child care providers to gain knowledge about each individual child in their care. One way to learn about the individual personalities of young children is by observing the interactions between children and their families. For example, what are the good-bye rituals or what do the parents do to comfort their child? The younger the child, the more necessary it is for professionals to acquire this knowledge through relationships with her family.
Be attentive and open to negotiation if a parent brings a concern or complaint to your attention. Keep in mind that assertive communication - when you tell the truth and care about the listener--is the most effective form of communication.
Be sensitive to each child’s cultural and family experience. Reflect the diversity of these experiences in the toys, books, decorations, and activities you choose in creating your learning environment.
Some families may be new to the area or unaware of resources in the community. Early childhood programs can be a community link by acquiring, and making available, information on a range of community resources, including hospital, health clinic, and local library programs, school and community education offerings, and family support services.
Make time for communication:
Pick-up and drop-off times are often hurried occasions, however valuable information can be exchanged through these daily informal meetings. Staff may not discuss concerns over development and or behavior without first discussing matters with the Manager. By simply asking how the family is doing in a non-intrusive way, adults can share information that may help the child care professional better understand a child’s behaviour on any given day. For example, a child may be sad if a family member is on a business trip or if someone is ill. What may seem trivial to adults can be very important to young children.
Children benefit most from healthy, reciprocal relationships between staff and families. Like most relationships, these require time to nurture mutual respect, cooperation, and comfortable communication.