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Chapter 13 Working with Families, Volunteers, and the Community ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Chapter Objectives • Identify strategies for establishing reciprocal relationships with families. • List items to be included in a handbook for families. • Discuss contents and the value of center newsletters. • Understand the process of recruiting and adding volunteers and becoming active in the community where services are provided. ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Goals of Director • Develop a first-class program for children and their families • Work with parents and volunteers • Create a positive program climate ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Parent Program • Must contain: – Positive attitudes toward families and what they can contribute to the center program – A recognition of the changing complexion of center families • Multicultural mindset • Valuing diversity (including language) – Communicate trust • Parent receiving area • Resources for parents • Consistent staff ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Parent Program • Parent program can be divided into three major categories 1. Parent contacts 2. Parent education 3. Parent involvement ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Discussion Question 1. If parents seem uncertain about becoming involved with the center, what ideas do you have to promote parent involvement? ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Parent Contacts • Parent contacts range – Arrival or departure greetings – Formal interviews – Scheduled conferences – Parent meetings – Phone calls – Parent feedback ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Parent Education • Designed to improve – Parenting skills – Interpret the center program – Vocational education – Remedial classes (complete GED) – Information on consumerism, nutrition, stress or time management ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Parent Education • Could be formal or informal – Workshops – Panels – Presentations – Seminars ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Parent Involvement • Parent involvement is more than conferences and parent education – Active in planning, implementing, and evaluating the total program – Helping out in the classrooms – Working with children in a small, informal reading experience – Doing clerical work, repairs, or making equipment – Donating materials – Serve on the board or advisory committee – Demonstrate a skill (weaving, pottery) ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Parent Involvement • Parents may feel – threatened by teacher knowledge – limited by their own school experiences – protective of a child with special needs ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Parent Conferences • Share positive child experiences • Show child work, samples • Develop plans to facilitate the child’s progress • Give parents time to share ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Discussion Question 1. Why is it important to allow time for parents to share information about their child? ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Parent Handbooks • Handbooks are a way to communicate basic information about the program – Statement of center philosophy – Outline of daily program – Feeds and arrangements for payment – Transportation policies – Health and safety policies – Snacks and meals ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Parent Handbooks • Handbooks are a way to communicate basic information about the program – Services center staff will offer children and families – Center discipline policy – Requests for help from parents – Summary of scheduled events – Expectations about child’s use of transition objects – Description of legal obligation of center staff to report any evidence of child abuse ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Volunteer Programs • Provide ways to – serve the needs of the program – advocate for children • Volunteer recruitment – Volunteer bureaus – Senior citizen groups – Business groups – High schools – Church groups ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Volunteer Programs • Volunteer orientation – Get a clear understanding of how they fit into the total services offered by the center program – Provide staff directory and make introductions – Review daily schedule – Information on child guidance and center philosophy – Confidentiality of families and students – Logistics such as sign-in/out, where they should call if they expect to be absent, where they put their personal things ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Professional Organizations • Joining professional organizations can – help directors in their professional career by obtaining new colleagues, associates – enhance their program with new ideas learned through the organization ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Professional Organizations • Examples: – National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – National Association for Child Care Professionals (NACCP) – National Afterschool Association (NAA) – National Child Care Association (NCCA) ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Working with the Community • Referral agencies • Chamber of Commerce • Community Coordinated Child Care (4Cs) • Jaycees/Kiwanis • Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Discussion Question 1. Can you think of other ways for a center director to work with the community? ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Chapter Summary • The Director – is accountable for the parent program – helps staff establish parent relationships – recruits volunteers – works with professional organizations ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.