How do you make families and children feel welcome in your center? This is the perfect time to take stock of what you do now and what you’ll add to make this year even better.
Families crave communication! They want to feel up-to-date and in the loop. Just like you – they don’t like surprises. Think about the content, method, timing and frequency of your communication with families. Then, ask each family which method they prefer. Use that one!
Greet every person – child and adult – who walks into your center or classroom. Every person, every time: by name. My name is not “Bella’s mom”. Make sure you and your staff knows each adult’s name and greets them accordingly. This is an easy - and often overlooked -way to show you value each person.
Provide a directory with photos. Families want to connect with one another – but hardly ever know how to do that. A family directory facilitates play dates, birthday parties, babysitting co-ops and a sense of community. Get permission to include photos and remember to include a ‘do not share this information’ statement in your publication.
If you want to know how you are doing, you can use an assessment tool developed by the American Business Collaboration, which will help you understand and respond to family needs. You can read the instructions, offer it in English or Spanish, and score it to gain important insight into your program.
Keep smiling and keep your door open!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment