Creating a Positive Environment

There may be times where a preschool teacher, or owner, needs to have a sensitive discussion with a parent or caregiver. Sometimes these conversations may seem difficult.

Conversations with parents can range from a number of things like behavior too late bills. Some issues can even directly relate to the way the parent interacts with staff or follows the structure of the school.

In anticipation for these conversations, preschool staff should create an environment and trust and care at all times. If you normally communicate with your parents in a positive and open manner, these conversations should be easier to have. There may be different things to consider before engaging with a parent.

Sometimes there may be legal implications that have to do with the subject matter. Staff should always keep observations and records of problems (even if they seem minor) that occur with every child. Below are tips that owners/teachers should take into consideration before sitting down with a parent:

1. Sit down with a parent as soon as issues begin to happen. If you wait to have a conversation, this could make the parent more frustrated when they find out. Do not wait until a conference to bring up something of a serious nature.
2. Choose a private setting to have your discussion. Settings should be chosen so that conversations are not interrupted or overheard by others.
3. Give concrete examples of the issues you are mentioning. This is the time to pull out any observations or examples that you have recorded previously to the meeting.
4. Be sure to listen to the parent's side of the issue. Do not talk over the other party while they are explaining their actions or the reasoning for their child's behavior. Listening carefully will assist in coming up with a compromise as soon as possible.
5. Do not give up on solving the problem. With a little effort from both sides, it is possible to end the conversation on a positive note. If there is still trouble, try looking for some sort of mediator to help solve the problem.

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