Communicating With Parents!

Research has shown that children benefit more from childcare when their parents are involved.

This research has proved that parents who take an active interest in their children's childcare, reap the benefits. And, the children of parents who get involved settle better and progress more quickly.

This is not to say that parents need to go in and help once a week at nursery or donate lots of funds. It simply means trying to do the following:

• trying to understand what activities your child is doing when at nursery or with the childminder
• finding out what topics are being studied and chat about them together at home
• speaking to the childminder and keeping in touch with progress and development
• sharing with the childminder what your child has enjoyed at home or outings they have had at the weekend
• keeping an eye on your child's Daily Diary and sharing it with them
• looking and enjoying the arts and crafts your child come home with... perhaps trying them for yourselves at home

The Childcare Trust suggests arranging a daily diary for your child as it is a great idea to monitor and share activities and events. For a great, easy to use on-line Daily Diary (and a great activities-based learning programme for 0-5s) go to ToucanLearn.com for a free trial!