PLANNING AND

ADMINISTERING FOR
ECE
(CSZD1073)
CHAPTER 8
COMMUNICATION
 Introduction
Parent Program
Parent Conferences
Parent Handbook
Volunteer Programs
Summary Discussion

2
 Goals of Director

Develop a first-class program for children and their families

Work with parents and volunteers
Create a positive program climate
 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
 Parent Program (Continued)

Parent program can be divided into 3 major categories:

1. Parent contacts
2. Parent education
3. Parent involvement

Discussion Question

If parents seem uncertain about becoming involved with

the center, what ideas do you have to promote parent
involvement?
 Parent Contacts

Parent contacts range:

Arrival or departure greetings
Formal interviews
Scheduled conferences
Parent meetings
Phone calls
Parent feedback
 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
 Parent Education (continued)

Could be formal or informal such as:

Workshops
Panels
Presentations
Seminars
 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)
 Parent Involvement (Continued)

Parents may feel:

threatened by teacher knowledge
limited by their own school experiences
protective of a child with special needs
 Parent Conferences

Share positive child experiences

Show child work, samples
Develop plans to facilitate the childs progress
Give parents time to share

Discussion Question

Why is it important to allow time for parents to share

information about their child?
 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
 Parent Handbooks (Continued)

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 childs use of transition objects
Description of legal obligation of center staff to report any evidence of
child abuse
 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
 Volunteer Programs (Continued)

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
 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
Summary
- Summarize the content for this topic.
- You may do it with your group members.
- Discuss with the class the points that have been summarized.

17