Family Engagement

Having families involved in your childcare program can help improve children’s social-emotional and behavioral development, health, mental health, and overall well-being, transition into childcare, academic achievement in kindergarten and school, and many more!

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Benefits for Providers and Parents

Communicating and connecting with families is so important! It helps to extend learning outside of the classroom and encourages parents and other family members to take ownership in being an active part of a child’s education. It can create deeper bonds between the child, parent, and teacher that encourage feelings of trust.

When families get involved and feel more knowledgeable about the program their child attends, they begin to realize that their child is safe, cared for, and thoughtfully educated by a provider that knows and understands their child.

Did You Know?

Family Engagement activities can be used to boost your KY All STARS score! It is recognized as an indicator of a higher quality program.

Early Childhood educators who are interested in increasing the quality of family and child engagement in your program in order to promote school readiness and improve outcomes for young children and their families while also raising their All STARS score are encouraged to take the “Increase Family Engagement and Improve Your All STARS Rating” online training. It is 1.5 hours and FREE on ECE-TRIS.

How to Involve Parents

“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents.” ~Jane D. Hull

-Invite families to participate in decision making and goal setting for their child.

-Involve families in two-way communication.

-Engage families in ways that are truly reciprocal.

-Provide learning activities for the home.

-Plan trainings on topics that parents may be interested in.

-Invite families to participate in program-level decisions.

-Plan events for families.

Adapted from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/family-engagement/principles

To learn more about these involvement strategies, visit our partners at 4-C!

Provider Spotlight

We want to take a moment to celebrate our newest Family Child Care Home providers!

We are proud of all the work you have put in and are excited to support you on your journey.

Registered:

Roxanna Campbell - Daviess County, opened June 2022

Melinda Carver - Warren County, opened June 2022

Vodaka Watkins- Christian County, opened September 2022

Certified:

Jamie Pearson - Christian County, opened December 2021

June Ogilby - Daviess County, opened March 2022

Stephanie Haywood - Hardin County, opened May 2022

Mary Chianna Hammes - Logan County, opened August 2022

Type II:

Hannah Bennett (Hannah’s Helpers Preschool/Child Care Center) - Union County, opened September 2022

Professional Development Training

Each month the WKU FCCN provides independent studies. Independent studies are online and work at your own pace. They are available for registration until the 15th of each month. Independent studies must be completed within two weeks.

This month's new topic is:

Early Childhood Environments: Learning through Routines and Rituals

Join us for live training from the comfort of your home!

We strive to provide a personal, live session that is welcoming to all and allows for networking.

Check our training calendar for upcoming Live Zoom trainings.

Do you need CPR and First Aid?

FOR A LIMITED TIME GET IT FREE!

The WKU CCR&R offers both hybrid and face-to-face sessions. During hybrid sessions, the session content is online and the skills check is in person. Please make sure you are registering for the session that best meets your needs.

View the WKU FCCN Training Calendar for more information and to register.

Training Calendar

Kentucky Family Child Care Convention

March 10th & 11th, 2023

Cost: FREE for Kentucky Family Child Care Network

Conscious Discipline equips educators to integrate social-emotional learning, discipline and self-regulation so they spend less time policing behavior and more time teaching vital life skills. Mark you calendars and join us at the 2023 Kentucky Family Child Care Convention! Register today!

A publication of the WKU Family Child Care Network

Funded through Family Childcare Support Award SC 7362100001482

www.wku.edu/fccn