Communication with Parents
We recognize the importance of making sure parents have
a complete picture of what their child does each day. The
little details can mean so much! Daily communication and
a sense of trust between parents and staff are vital to
our Center. That is why we maintain multiple communication
channels so parents and staff get the information they seek
to understand the day’s activities and help transition
from and back to home.
Daily Communication
In all the classrooms, daily charts record lengths of naps,
amount of food intake for each child, and frequency and
timing of diapering (where relevant). Drop off and pick
up each day is a critical information sharing time and our
staffing model is designed to have the necessary coverage
to facilitate information exchange. Each classroom has its
own schedule board to relate the day’s anticipated
activities and any other important notices.
Monthly Communication
On a regular basis, classrooms typically send an email to
parents highlighting the curriculum and activities for the
class whenever there is a change in theme. Monthly menus
and calendars are distributed every month in each child’s
mail pocket.
Other Communication
Each fall at the start of the year, parents are asked to
attend a 1-1 parent-teacher conference with their child’s
primary contact teacher. This is an opportunity to share
information about the child and set general goals for the
year. Parents receive a mid-year written evaluation that
formally assesses the child’s progress relative to
developmental benchmarks for the age group. At the end of
the year, parents are given a year-end portfolio of their
child from their child’s primary teacher that “captures”
the year for each child through pictures, artwork and notes.
Finally, every class maintains an emergency phone chain
to notify families in case of emergency.
In addition to these outlets, the annual Parents’
Night in September gives parents the chance to connect with
the teachers in their child’s classroom and learn
about the goals and objectives in the coming year. Individual
classrooms also hold a fall breakfast in October, a holiday
breakfast in December and a year-end breakfast in May/June
for socializing and an opportunity to thank and recognize
the teachers.
The Center hosts three Center-wide gatherings every year—the
Fall Fundraising Dinner in October, the International Potluck
Dinner in March and the Year-End Picnic in June.
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