COLLABORATION WITH WHĀNAU POLICY

RATIONALE

Effective collaboration between the Centre including its kaiako (teachers) and whānau (families) requires active communication and consultation between the two parties. This collaboration is fundamental in the care and education of tamariki (children). To ensure this meaningful partnership we aim to develop positive relationships with all whānau and their tamariki and encourage them to participate and contribute to the education and care of their tamaiti and the Centre community.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the collaboration between the Centre and mātua (parents/caregivers) is consistent, reciprocal and meaningful, meeting the needs of all parties and supporting the care and education of each tamaiti (child). This policy outlines the variety of ways Curious Minds Early Learning creates a collaborative relationship with whānau opening the lines of communication and consultation.

REFERENCES AND REGULATIONS

Te Whāriki (2017): Belonging/ Mana whenua:

Tamariki and their whānau experience an environment where they know they have a place.

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008: 47 (1.b.ii), (c.ii.A) & (d)

Licensing Criteria for Education & Care Services 2008 and Early Childhood Education Curriculum Framework (amended 2022):

• C11: Positive steps are taken to respect and acknowledge the aspirations held by parents and whānau for their children.
• C12: Regular opportunities (formal and informal) are provided for parents to: communicate with adults providing education and care about their child, and share specific evidence of the child’s learning; and be involved in decision-making concerning their child’s learning.
• GMA2: Parents are advised how to access: information concerning their child; the service’s operational documents (such as philosophy, policies, and procedures and any other documents that set out how day to day operations will be conducted); and the most recent Education Review Office report regarding the service.
• GMA3: Information is provided to parents about: how they can be involved in the service; any fees charged by the service; the amount and details of the expenditure of any Ministry of Education funding received by the service; and about any reviews and consultation.
• GMA4: Parents of children attending the service and adults providing education and care are provided with opportunities to contribute to the development and review of the service’s operational documents (such as philosophy, policies, and procedures and any other documents that set out how day to day operations will be conducted). DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Evidence of opportunities provided for parents and adults providing education and care to contribute to the development and review of the service’s operational documents.  

PROCEDURES:

• Upon accepting an enrolment there will be clear communications between the administrator/person responsible for enrolments and mātua outlining the enrolment process, requirements and key dates.
• During the enrolment process the administrator/person responsible for enrolments will discuss with mātua the Enrolment Agreement’s terms and conditions, provide them with either a copy of Curious Minds Early Learning’s policies and procedures or show them where to access them, set them up with Educa (the Centre’s online learning platform), and teach them the day to day processes such as signing their tamaiti in and out of the Centre, paying accounts, absences etc.
• During the settling process the profile kaiako will induct mātua into the Centre sharing routines, discussing key points from various Centre policies and procedures and answering any questions mātua may have. Mātua will also share information about their tamaiti, routines etc. The Centre will have a process to gather information regarding that tamaiti during that time. This information is used to understand the interests and strengths of the tamaiti when planning and for compiling a profile of them. This is shared with their team of kaiako.
• Kaiako respect and acknowledge the aspirations held by whānau for their tamariki. Mātua are encouraged to participate in decision making concerning the learning and development of their tamaiti.
• Kaiako aim to verbally communicate with mātua daily and share any information concerning their tamaiti.
• Kaiako are responsible for recording daily routines such as nappy changes, sleep times, bottles given etc. These are automatically emailed to mātua via Discover (SMS software) once the tamaiti has been signed out at the end of day.
• Mātua will be informed of any accident/incident that concerns their tamaiti. Depending on the severity, this will be communicated via a phone call (illnesses, serious injuries or injuries to the head/face) or email (minor accidents/incidents) on the same day and in a timely manner.
• Educa, an online communication software programme, is used to share tamariki learning and experiences with individual mātua and whānau and as a tool for corresponding Centre information. This is a secure site and permission will be gained from mātua on enrolment.
• Regular information and updates specific to the Centre is written and made available to mātua through email and/or Educa.
• The Centre will provide formal and informal opportunities for kaiako and mātua/whānau to collaborate on the learning and development of their tamaiti, as well as continue to build kaiako-whānau relationships.
• Whiteboards, planning boards and notices are located throughout the Centre, where whānau can see them, to communicate necessary information. These are updated regularly depending on their purpose eg. daily, weekly, monthly.
• There are multiple avenues for mātua to contact the Centre, this includes, by phone, email, text, and an after-hours answer phone service.
• A profile book is kept for each individual tamaiti. This book documents the learning and development of the tamaiti and reflects their learning journey. Mātua are encouraged to contribute to their books by giving a whānau voice.
• Kaiako document individual plans for each tamaiti. This is a live document kept on Educa. Mātua are invited to bi-annual profile meetings to discuss the development of their tamaiti and aspirations for them.
• Group experiences are shared regularly with whānau to show the interests and learning of tamariki. This is documented on Educa and/or social media pages. Any tamaiti posted on social media must have the consent of mātua.
• Centre policies are reviewed regularly. When policies are due to be reviewed, these are posted on Educa and whānau are invited and encouraged to have input into this process. Once policies have been reviewed the updated policy is re-posted to Educa for whānau to read.
• Mātua and/or guardians will have full access to all information on their tamaiti at any time. This information can be accessed on request.
• Information regarding a tamaiti will be shared with both mātua and/or guardians unless there is any custodial arrangement in place to prohibit this. It is the responsibility of mātua to inform Centre Management of any custodial arrangements upon enrolment or if custodial arrangements change while enrolled at the Centre. This will be documented in the private file of the tamaiti and shared only with staff that need to be aware of the arrangements.
• For tamariki of mātua who are separated, any dispute over day-to-day care of the tamaiti and his/her right to early childhood education needs to be settled by the mātua.
• Kaiako are bound by confidentiality of the Privacy Act 2020 and are not permitted to release any information concerning the health or behaviour of any tamaiti, contact details, and the personal circumstances of the whānau without the consent gained from mātua. Exception is made when kaiako are concerned for the safety of the tamaiti. (See Child Protection policy)‍
• Parent questionnaires are requested when required. Information received from these form part of the Strategic and Management plans, Internal Evaluations and teaching practice.
• All official documentation i.e. Ministry of Education Regulations, ERO Report will be displayed in the entrance foyer as per Ministry of Education regulations.
• Any concerns are to be discussed with Management representatives. Formal complaints can be made in writing. (see Complaints policy)‍
• All communication will be respectful. Any communication from mātua or whānau that is deemed as bullying or harassment toward Curious Minds Early Learning team members may result in the termination of enrolment. (see Termination of Enrolment policy)

LINKS TO RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• Enrolment Agreement Form
• Whānau Guide to Curious Minds Early Learning
• Fees policy
• Termination of Enrolment policy
• Accident policy
• Illness policy
• Child protection policy
• Privacy policy
• Settling into the Centre policy
• Transitioning policy
• Assessment, Planning & Evaluation policy
• Complaints policy