About The Family Center

Center Based Child Care Program | Partnerships with Parents | Onsite Special Education/Early Intervention | The Family Center as a Training Site | Home & Community-Based Program

Partnerships with Parents

Family members are the most important people in the lives of their young children. Therefore, we work to create family/staff partnerships, which form the basis for each child's sense of security and support his/her growth and development. The beginning weeks of a family's entrance into the program are devoted to establishing these relationships and developing trust. Children can only freely explore, and therefore learn, when they feel safe, respected, and cared for. Based on this initial experience, our staff is able to provide care that feels most consistent and comfortable for each child. In addition, family members can gain insight into issues that affect them and their children. From this foundation of security, a child can begin to form trusting relationships and develop a positive self-image. The Family Center invites parents to participate fully in the care of their children while at the center. Parents feel free to spend time in the classroom, call to check on their children, have lunch with the group, go on outings, or do special projects. Communication, support, and collaboration are key factors in maintaining these partnerships. Parents therefore receive daily notes describing their child's routines and activities, and a monthly newsletter about Center-wide issues. Parents participate in conferences and attend education and support groups at which they discuss with staff members home and Center issues related to young children and their families. The family support coordinator is available for individual counseling with parents who wish to explore in greater depth issues of parenting, family, siblings, behavior management, and infant/ toddler and early childhood development. The coordinator can assist families in finding additional resources and services outside the Family Center (e.g., private therapy, social services, special education services). The center also expects parents to participate in fundraising efforts throughout the year and encourages participation on various parent/staff committees.