Out of School Hours Care - FAMILIES SHARING DECISION MAKING

FAMILIES SHARING DECISION MAKING

Element 6.2.1 The expertise of families is recognised as they share in decision making about their child’s learning and wellbeing

Recognising the valuable information that families can contribute about their child, and reflecting this in the program is an important and often complex task faced by Out of school hours care services.

It is valuable for your service to explore how the expertise of families is recognised and celebrated within your setting. What opportunities currently exist for families and children to have genuine and meaningful participation in the decision making process.

Consider the following strategies to maintain and enhance the connection between families and OSHC services:

Provide families with the message that you would like to work in partnership with them to meet their child’s needs.
Inform families that you are interested to gather information that will enhance their child’s experience in OSHC.

Share stories with families about their child’s learning, strengths, achievements, and experiences in the service and at home.
Decide if it is appropriate for the child to be present during the conversation or whether an alternate time needs to be considered.
Reflect on each family’s individual needs.
Families should have regular opportunities to:
provide feedback about children’s experiences
make suggestions about service routines and activities
contribute to curriculum decision making and the documentation of children’s learning.

Some of the common challenges and questions faced by services include:

How can we encourage all families to participate and share in the life of the service?
Who can help us engage with children, families and communities?
How can we reach families who have unique needs and circumstances?
What do we do with the casual information families share with us – like what they did on the weekend, or the games they play at home?

It may be valuable for your service to explore further how the expertise of families is recognised and celebrated within your setting. What scope currently exists for children to have genuine and meaningful participation in the decision making process when concerning their child’s learning and wellbeing?

Notes:

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References:

Educators Guide to the Framework for School Age Care. Fact Sheet 13 – Shared Visions for School Age Care. Community Child Care Association, funded by Department of Human Services