The Parenta Guide to Parents as Partners: The EYFS Principle

The Parenta Guide to...

Parents as Partners:

The EYFS Principle

This Pack Contains: 1. Communication

First Impressions, Face to Face, Customer Service & more

2. Learning Together

Requirements of the EYFS and ideas for implementation

3. Effective Practice

Ideas to put in to practice, including: portfolios, websites, and forward thinking.

4. Challenges and Dilemmas

Overcoming conflict/confrontation, offering advice, and getting fathers involved.

5. Reflecting on Practice

Customer Service - Points for Discussion, `Reflecting on Practice' Review Form, Staff

Meeting Agendas and Notes Forms

W. T. 0844 504 5504 F. 0844 504 5455

? Copyright Parenta Group 2009

An Introduction to:

The Single Funding Formula...

By April 2010 Local Authorities will be required to use a single local formula for funding early years provision, which will support the extension and flexibility to the free entitlement to 3 and 4 year olds.

To ensure that every provider gets the best from the new funding formula Local Authorities, should have already completed Provider Cost Surveys and a Typical Costs Model which covers the following:

? Management and administration costs ? Staff profiles ? Materials and Supplies ? Premises and Maintenance

Note:

" The EY SF F

should be based on a detailed u n de rst a n di n g of costs in the Maintained and PVI sectors this must include a reasonable rate of return for PVI providers to ensure they are su st a i n a ble..

"

Each of the elements will be broken down further, for example Staff Profiles:

? Number of qualified staff and the level to which they are qualified ? Child group numbers ? How much of their time is spent on delivering the Free Entitlement

The basic structure of the formula is likely to be: (Basic Hourly Rate + Hourly Supplements) x No hrs participation + Supplements

From this, Local Authorities should decide whether to build different hourly rates for provider types or a common rate combined with higher supplements for those provides who's costs are not covered.

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? Copyright Parenta Group 2009

An Introduction to:

The Single Funding Formula...

Qu a lity Su pple m e nt:

" Through our free

NVQ courses you can ensure all members of your staff are reaching their full potential which in turn helps you to reach yours!

" "

Supplements

Supplements can be used to allow Local Authorities to reflect the needs of individual children. The following will be considered as good practice for local authorities to consider:

? Deprivation Supplement ? the number of deprived children taking up the Free Entitlement

? Quality Supplement ? should be designed to recognise, support, reward and incentivise and can be judged on whatever the LA deems `quality' to be. This could include: qualifications, Ofsted ratings, membership of approved quality improvement schemes, self-evaluation processes, training schemes, staff qualifications, materials, space and staff training schemes.

F lexibility Su pple m e nt:

" Our websites,

m a n a g e m e nt software, and Parent Portal gives you the opportunity to reach further, offer more flexible bookings and meet the demands of your parents at the click of a button!

? Flexibility ? should be designed to recognise, support, reward and incentivise flexible care patterns and meeting parents demands.

At Parenta, we can help you meet the demands of the quality and flexibility supplements.

To find out more, drop us a line on 0844 504 5504.

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? Copyright Parenta Group 2009

Parents as Partners:

A Commitment to the EYFS...

"`Parents as Partners' is a commitment to the EYFS principle of `Positive Relationships'. The explanation of the commitment includes respecting diversity by valuing all families, good and welcoming communication by approachable staff, learning together with parents, reflecting children's home language in the setting, involving fathers and male carers, and reflecting on practice in relation to parents and carers. "

Parents as Partners can be broken down into 5 areas of practice:

1.

Communication

2.

Learning together

3.

Effective practice

4.

Challenges and dilemmas

5.

Reflecting on practice

Effective Practice

Learning Together

Reflection on Practice

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? Copyright Parenta Group 2009

Parents as Partners:

Communication...

Communication is the clear flow of information between practitioners and carers. Making sure this is carried out effectively is key to working with children and their families.

Ensuring parents/carers are informed and reassured is central to building strong parent-practitioner relationships. It is important for practitioners to understand that although verbal communication is essential good customer relationships are also built on the non-verbal communication that takes place, i.e. body language, facilities, documentation etc.

" F irst impressions can

be based on more than just a face to face visit. Make sure your website and welcome packs are kept current!

"

First Impressions Count...

Your setting is a place where children are nurtured, educated and cared for, so it is essential to give a positive first impression of your provision. Make sure appearances, on both a personal and workplace level contribute to a positive, respectful and safe environment.

Face-to-Face Communication

It is important to ensure all parents are greeted in a friendly and respectful manner. Presentation and body language play a major role in face-to-face communication. Smiling and gesturing openly will help relax parents and instil confidence. Carers should be treated with courtesy and cooperatively, and spoken to in a manner that shows them they are valued and important.

Telephone Manners

When a telephone call requires you to find information in order to provide a

response, always keep the caller informed of your actions -especially if you

are going to put them on hold or pass them to a colleague. When taking

messages remember to clearly write down the caller's name and child's name,

the reason for their call and a contact telephone number.

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? Copyright Parenta Group 2009

Parents as Partners:

Communication...

Developing Relationships through Customer Service

Customer Service begins at the carer's first point of contact with your setting whether this is through a website, over the telephone or face to face. A good customer experience with every point of contact is key to developing solid relationships with parents.

Don't forget:

" The Impression you

give out is the one that will remain with the carers until the next time you make contact.

"

Good relationships are built on the customer service you provide and a parent's confidence in your provision of care. In order to deliver good customer service all practitioners should have a knowledge of how things work within the organisation.

Encouraging parents and carers to participate in your extra-curricular activities such as assisting on outings and fund-raising days, will help to broaden relationships to a more personal level.

Demonstrating your knowledge and experience through providing additional help and information will give parents a feeling of added-value and will position you as a professional and well-informed childcare provider.

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? Copyright Parenta Group 2009

Parents as Partners:

Learning Together...

"Parents are children's first and most enduring educators, when practitioners and parents work together the result is a positive impact on the child's learning."

?The National Strategies

As a childcare provider your professional knowledge and expertise is invaluable to parents, just as a parent's intimate knowledge of their children is invaluable to practitioners. Constant communication with parents will keep them feeling confident in your provision and enhance the child's learning journey.

"

R e m e m be r:

" Su ccessful relationships

become partnerships when there is twoway communication and parents and practitioners really listen to each other and value each other's views and support in achieving the best outcomes for each child.

Under the EYFS every setting must have Key Person(s) and it should be here where the majority of partnerships with parents are formed. As a Key Person, you must ensure that you are available to interact with children and parents and be consistently involved and interested in their daily routines. Naturally, observations will be made, noted and should be shared with parents on a regular basis.

As parents collect their children in the evening, comment on their child's activities and as part of the morning hand-over, ask parents how their child was over night: Did he/she sleep well? Did he/she eat well? etc. Building up this type of rapport with parents will give you an insight into the child's development and will keep you abreast of any changes.

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? Copyright Parenta Group 2009

Parents as Partners:

Effective Practice...

Portfolio's / Diary's

Consider starting a scrapbook or portfolio for all new starters, beginning with an `All About Me' section that parents/carers and their children can construct together using pictures of themselves and their family. Not only will this help the child in their `settling-in period' but will provide a solid platform on which you can record observations and communicate with parents on a more personal level.

Keeping a daily portfolio or record book in this way will give parents a real insight to their children's growth and development providing you with an arena to share intimate moments and milestones. Artwork, photos and notes could be kept together and children allowed to take them home to share with parents. Consider asking carers and children to pick some of their favourites and create a display boards for everyone to enjoy.

Consider:

" Sending the diary

home with the child on a daily basis is a great way to help seperated parents, grandparents and other carers feel more involved!

"

Welcome Boards

Providing a warm welcome is set out as a high priority in the EYFS principle of `Parents as Partners' and when carried out properly, it proves to be a useful communication tool and a great place to give parents an insight into the children's activities.

Demonstrate your setting's positive attitude towards disability, cultural, ethnic and social diversity by posting positive images on your notice board. Use your welcome board to begin breaking down language barriers by asking parents to contribute greetings in other languages.

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? Copyright Parenta Group 2009

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