Parent/Caretaker Involvement and Education
We know that you, the parents and caretakers, have the greatest influence on your child's development and education. Therefore, in order for children to obtain the maximum advantage from our program, we encourage you to share your opinions and skills to help make our program successful. Parents/Caretakers are encouraged to become active participants in our programs through our parent/caretaker education programs, quarterly Parent Advisory Committee meetings held at each center, classroom participation and agency advisory committees.
Parent/Caretaker participation can take many forms, from volunteering in the classroom to organizing the volunteer schedule to translating parent/caretaker notices. We welcome and encourage your involvement in our programs and encourage you to ask teachers about your child’s progress, voice concerns immediately, offer your time and talents to the classroom and attend center functions such as field trips, parent/caretaker meetings and work parties.
Communication is promoted on a daily basis between the teacher and parents/caretakers in our programs through verbal communication and use of the written Family Communication Form. The Family Communication Form provides parents with anecdotal notes, developmental progress and provides an update of center activities. Formal parent/teacher conferences are scheduled twice per school calendar year; however, parents may request a meeting with a Kidango teacher at anytime throughout the year. Additionally, parents/caretakers and teachers meet regularly throughout the year and discuss Individualized Education Plans for children who have identified special needs. All of these communications provide individual feedback about each child and develop linkages between home and center resources.
Kidango also provides free educational workshops, newsletters and seminars to all parents/caretakers. Topics generally include: toilet training, ages and stages, what to expect in preschool, sibling rivalry, child development, nutrition, kindergarten readiness and how to balance your work and personal life.