Parental Involvement

We believe that children benefit most from playgroup education and care when parents and playgroups work together in partnership.

Our Aim

  • To support parents as their children's first and most important educators.
  • To involve parents in the life of the playgroup and their children's education.

Method

In order to fulfil these aims:

  • We are committed to ongoing dialogue with parents to improve our knowledge of the needs of their children and to support their families;
  • Through access to written information and through regular informal communication, we inform all parents about how the group is run and its policies. We check to ensure parents understand the information which is given to them;
  • We encourage and support parents to play an active part in the governance and management of the playgroup;
  • We inform all parents on a regular basis about their children's progress;
  • We involve parents in the shared record keeping about their children - either formally or informally - and ensure parents have access to their children's written records;
  • We provide opportunities for parents to contribute their own skills, knowledge and interests to the activities of the group;
  • We inform parents about relevant conferences, workshops and training; attended by staff and committee.
  • We consult with parents about the times of meetings to avoid excluding anyone;
  • We provide information about opportunities for being involved in the playgroup in ways which are accessible to parents with basic skills needs, or those for whom English is an additional language;
  • We hold meetings in venues which are accessible and appropriate for all;
  • We welcome the contributions of parents, in whatever form these may take;
  • We inform all parents of the systems for registering queries, complaints or suggestions and check to ensure these are understood. All parents have access to our written complaints procedure; and contact information for committee members.
  • We provide opportunities for parents to learn about the playgroup curriculum and about young children's learning, in the playgroup and at home.

We have the following documentation in place:

  • Admissions policy;
  • Complaints procedure;
  • Record of complaints; and
  • Activities provided for children.