X is for Xtra Mile
In early years education, we understand that child development is a collaborative journey involving educators, parents, and caregivers. Building strong partnerships with parents and carers ensures high-quality education and nurtures children’s holistic development, aligning with Ofsted standards.
Research highlights parental involvement’s important role in shaping a child’s educational journey, regardless of their socio-economic background.
At Happy Orkids Ltd, we prioritise this collaboration, recognising its significance in encouraging positive outcomes. By actively engaging parents in their children’s learning, we connect home and the nursery, promoting continuity and coherence in the child’s experiences. This collaborative spirit forms the foundation of our ethos, where we always try to go the ‘xtra mile’ to build meaningful partnerships with parents and caregivers.
The vision behind Happy Orkids Ltd
When I founded Happy Orkids Ltd, my vision was clear: to create an environment where parents trust us with their children knowing they are leaving them in the care of friends, not just educators, I like to think of this as – a professional magic touch. Our approach is rooted in building a home away from home, where every child is understood and nurtured. Central to this vision is the belief that parent partnerships are essential in providing a holistic and enriching early years experience.
The power of parent partnerships
If you have attended any of my webinars, or training sessions, or worked with me before, you may already be familiar with my philosophy. I like to believe that each child entering our settings carries their own unique backpack. This metaphor emphasises that children don’t arrive at nursery as empty vessels; rather, they bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experiences from home, interactions with friends, and their broader environment. It’s essential to create an environment where children feel comfortable unpacking their ‘backpacks,’ and sharing their knowledge to help enhance their learning experiences.
Every child and family who becomes part of our setting brings with them a unique set of cultural and familial backgrounds, encompassing languages, beliefs, traditions, heritage, interests, and more. In my experience, I have found that valuing and respecting diverse cultural perspectives leads to improved learning experiences and progress for children.
Building warm and positive relationships with children and families is paramount. When families feel welcomed and embraced, they are more inclined to share their aspirations and dreams for their children – allowing us to set shared goals and next steps in their children’s learning and development journey.
In essence, the power of parent partnerships lies in their ability to enrich the educational journey of every child. By valuing and leveraging the wealth of knowledge and experiences that parents bring to the table, we create an inclusive and nurturing environment where every child can learn and develop comfortably. At Happy Orkids Ltd, we are committed to building strong and meaningful partnerships with parents, recognising that together, we encourage children to develop a love for learning – which will follow them throughout their lives.
How we go the ‘xtra-mile’ to build strong parent partnerships
While each of our nursery settings may have unique approaches, we all share a common ethos rooted in building strong partnerships with parents. Here are some of the ways Happy Orkids go the ‘xtra mile‘ to build and sustain these partnerships:
This communication app eliminates the need for physical paperwork and ensures that information is easily accessible to parents. Through the app, parents can receive real-time updates on their child’s daily experiences, including observations, and opportunities for feedback. They can browse through photo galleries, manage bookings, and view bills effortlessly, eliminating any potential discomfort around financial discussions such as late bill payments.
The app facilitates direct conversations with our staff and keeps parents informed about crucial aspects such as nappy changes, sleep patterns, and dietary intake. Our staff can set personalised next steps for each child using the custom events feature, ensuring that parents stay fully engaged in their child’s developmental milestones. Parents can also add observations from home, allowing for a collaborative approach.
Our parents love the app, and it has enabled seamless communication between our nursery and parents. This innovative tool demonstrates several ways in which we go the extra mile to keep parents informed and engaged in their child’s education and development.
Parents evenings
Regular opportunities for parents to engage in conversations about their children’s learning with educators, enabling open communication and mutual understanding.
Weekend graduations
Celebrating key milestones like graduation is not just a school event; it’s a family affair. By scheduling these events on weekends, we accommodate busy schedules and ensure maximum parental participation.
Open days
We use this as a way to reach out to the community, inviting prospective parents to experience firsthand the warmth and dedication that define our nursery.
Positive parenting program
We now provide parenting classes to provide support and guidance to parents navigating the complexities of raising babies. Whether it’s helping more children start school on the right foot, reducing the number of children exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences, or improving children’s and parents’ mental health, this program is the proven system for making positive changes with long-term social and economic benefits.
Summer fair
This event brings together families and the wider community, building a sense of belonging and loyalty.
Giving back to parents
We understand that investing in childcare is a significant financial commitment for parents. That’s why we believe it’s imperative to continuously give back to parents through the resources, activities, and support available at our nurseries. By offering value and dedication to each child and family, we strive to honour the trust placed on us by parents. By going the ‘xtra mile’ in nurturing these partnerships, we not only improve the early years experience for children but also empower parents to become active participants in their child’s journey of growth and discovery.
Book CPD training with Julia at Orkids Training Hub A holistic child-focused early learning provision that helps children to develop socially, physically, emotionally, and cognitively under the care and guidance of highly trained professionals and within a child-friendly environment. Learn more here.
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About the Author
Julia Maynard is the Director and Trainer at Blue Orkids Training Provider and Managing Director at Happy Orkids Nursery. With a Master of Education Degree and expertise in Educational Leadership and Administration, she's passionate about delivering high-quality early education services. With over ten years of experience, she excels in leadership, mentoring, and staff development.
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