Childcare is a big transition for both parents and children. But in our experience… the transition is always harder for the parents. Understandably so! This little human being is your whole world, and now you’re entrusting their safety and well-being to an educator you have only just met. We understand the anxiety you might feel about such a big decision. To make matters worse, sometimes parents have concerns they want to address, and just don’t know how.
We’re here to tell you, never hesitate to talk to your child’s educator if you have a concern. Even if you are not certain, assume that both you and your child’s educator want what’s best for your child, and that you’ll always find a way to work together. In assuming this, you should address your concerns right away. If you’re not sure how the teacher responds when your child is crying? You should just ask! Or maybe your child is just not warming up to the program like you thought. Ask your educator what they think!
Your child’s educator will appreciate your efforts in forming an open relationship. And if they don’t… well that says a lot too! If they are defensive and rude, this may be a sign that they are not open to communication or developing a positive relationship. You should immediately bring it to the attention of the Supervisor. If he or she is also dismissive, then this childcare may not be the right match for you, your child, and your family.
Frequent Questions and Concerns
Here are some frequent questions and concerns parents may have:
“How do you address my child when they are crying?”
“How do you keep the children engaged all day?”
“If my child came into class crying one morning, how would you handle it to ensure that they feel a sense of safety and belonging?”
“How do you deal with a child who hits others?”
“How do you handle children who bite?”
The way your educator answers your questions, can help you evaluate and understand how creative he or she might be in responding to everyday classroom dilemmas and behaviors.
The best time to address concerns is generally during parent-teacher meetings.
Curriculum Night | Parent – Teacher Meetings
High quality childcare centres will normally have some sort of curriculum night or event where parents learn more about what happens in the classroom. Most will schedule parent-teacher meetings during this time to also discuss your child’s developmental and behavioral progress. These conferences are also a perfect opportunity to bring up any questions you have about the educators’ teaching style, your child, and the classroom. Always remember that educators have a duty to maintain a level of confidentiality, so the conversation should only be about you child and the classroom as a whole.
It’s also important to remember not to get defensive if the educator has concerns about your child. Maintaining an open line of communication is also part of your responsibility. Being cold, unreceptive, and defensive can make the educator hesitant to discuss any problems for fear of confrontation.
Instead, listen attentively, and keep in mind that any concerns brought up are generally concerns that can be solved with teamwork. If there is not enough time during the meeting to go into detail, schedule a future time when you can both create proactive solutions together.
Always prepare questions in advance so that you are respectful of everyone’s time. You might want to know how well your child gets along with others, or if she engages with the learning opportunities in the classroom. Even still, stay calm even if you’re nervous or angry about something that has happened.
But what if your centre doesn’t do a curriculum night or parent-teacher meetings. Here are some day to day ways to successfully address your concerns:
Choose the Right Method of Communication
Having a face to face conversation is great and always the go to option! It helps to build on communication and establish relationships. But if you’re wondering if your child enjoys painting or if they take long to get dressed independently, leaving a note or sending an email can usually address the matter effectively. On the other hand, if you’re worried about your child’s relationship with another child then a face to face conversation will be best.
Choose the Right Time
While quality educators are open to conversations, sometimes pick-up and drop-off times are not the best time to address concerns! These times are busy times of the day and the educator will have a classroom full of other children that they have to tend to. Either schedule a phone call or a time when you can chat in person. But best practice is to also let the educator know the general idea of your thoughts so they are ready for the conversation when it comes.
Choose the Right Tone
Just like we mentioned above, always go into a meeting or conversation with your child’s educator with a positive tone. Assume that anything can be resolved with teamwork.
Sometimes you can even gain a different perspective on your concern by considering the educator’s point of view. Go into a meeting with a positive tone and ask for the educator’s perspective. Maybe your child’s educator is thinking the same but hasn’t had the opportunity to touch base with you yet.
Choose the Right Game Plan
Real teams create real plans. By the end of your meeting or conversation with your child’s educator, you two should be on the same page with a strategy to resolve any concerns. Make sure you also decide when to follow up to ensure your plan is working!
We know the transition to childcare is a tough one for parents. You will have concerns and some questions. Never be afraid or hesitant to ask questions. You and your child’s educator should work as a team to create the best learning environment for your little one.
If you’re looking for more ways to handle concerns with your child’s educator, just ask!
