Parents and teachers both have an important role to play in a child’s life. The influences of both home and school have an impact on and determine how a child thinks and acts.

Through their interactions with each other, parents and teachers are able to enhance their understanding of each other and assist in providing support and positive experiences for the child.

In order to build a collaborative relationship between home and school, there are steps that can be taken on both sides that assist in this process.

WHAT THE SCHOOL CAN DO:

• The school community should be receptive to and provide opportunities for parents to ask question and offer comments.
• Listen to parents’ concerns and develop an action plan to respond to these concerns.
• Show flexibility in allowing parent visitations and opportunities for observation to dispel feelings of suspicion and uneasiness.
• In order to keep meetings student-focused, student should be encourage being involved in parent/teacher meetings.
• The school should provide opportunities for parent to be involved in the school community.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• To allow for open communication, parent need to make themselves accessible to the teacher by developing open lines of communication.
• When speaking to teachers or school personnel, parents should remain professional and avoid responding overly emotionally.
• Parents should come to meetings with a prepared list of question and suggestion.
• Remain open-minded to the positive influences the school is having and be prepared to work together to resolve differences.
• Interact with the school by volunteering in various activities both within and outside the school premises.

Karen Nicholls
Senior Pre-school Director
Etonhouse Pre-school