Working with children means working with families. How can we effectively engage families and develop relationships that benefit children? Let’s look at ways to welcome families into your program.

Family engagement is an ongoing process that occurs through respectful and responsive relationship-building between early childhood staff and families. Family engagement focuses on listening, welcoming ideas, and encouraging shared decision-making.

When families are included, it creates partnerships, leading to stronger outcomes for children. Families are our biggest partners in early childhood education.  Educators should work to establish relationships with families to provide appropriate experiences for each child. 

Use Family Questionnaires to Get to Know Families

Use a family questionnaire to get to know new families coming into your program. Experience Early Learning provides a questionnaire you can use, which can be downloaded from Member Resources. The questions include information about the family’s origin and culture, about being a parent, their parenting approach, how their daily schedule usually goes, and Learning Goals for their child regarding being, becoming, and belonging.

This form can be added to the child’s file, referenced throughout the year, and shared with co-teachers in the child’s classroom.

Design an Onboarding Process for Your Early Childhood Program

Be sure to have an onboarding process in writing that each family will experience when joining your program. Families should be provided with handbooks, tours, and an orientation process. Offer short visits to gradually introduce the child to your program instead of dropping off for a full day.

Family Photo Displays Create a Sense of Belonging

Children and their families feel a part of the classroom when they see themselves represented. Having a picture of their family says that you care about them and their family! You care about them as a WHOLE Child, not just their education.

Send a note home requesting photos or take photos at an open house event.

Communicate With Classroom Bulletin Boards

Creating bulletin boards with information for families tells them about your program. They are looking for information, community, and ways to connect with the classroom. Provide curriculum information, schedules, and ways families can donate or volunteer. You may want to highlight teachers or families and the birthdays and special events taking place that month.

Provide a Clean, Engaging Classroom

Clean shelves, floors, walls, and toys. Reduce clutter and store extra materials in cabinets. Set up centers and play spaces, inviting children and families to play and explore. Label your centers and toy shelves.

Create a Family Welcome Area in Your Center

Create a welcome area when families come in. When you have a new family you could put out a small journal or set up a whiteboard or an easel with paper so current families can write messages to welcome newcomers.

Make a display with the new family’s photo and a short introduction. Add a welcome sign and other decorations showing this special day. Include welcome or hello in the languages of all the families in your program.

This welcome area can include community resources, books, and information for families, as well as an attractive and welcoming space to sit and wait or sign up for events.

Smile and Greet

Smile and introduce yourself and your coworkers by name. Not only are smiles contagious, but a warm face and voice help children feel safe and show the family that their child’s teachers are caring individuals. Sometimes we forget to have this warm happy look when we’re busy and stressed. Be available and present as much as possible for families.

Personalized Cubbies and Supplies

Prepare the room with labeled spaces for the children to place their belongings and their supplies. Families want to see that their child is ready to be included and that they have been planned for. Seeing their child’s name on the sign-in sheet or wall displays will make them feel welcomed and excited for the days ahead. These small efforts instill confidence in families.

Plan a Preschool Open House