Nursery World - A quiet word

When parents voice concerns about their children,being a supportive listener can make all the difference. Jennie Lindon gives advice on good communications Real partnership between early years practitioners and parents (and other carers) is two-way. Early years practitioners are keen that parents should listen to them and make some mental space for the perspective of the nursery or pre-school. But do you offer equivalent attention and thought when parents raise their concerns to you?

Real partnership between early years practitioners and parents (and other carers) is two-way. Early years practitioners are keen that parents should listen to them and make some mental space for the perspective of the nursery or pre-school. But do you offer equivalent attention and thought when parents raise their concerns to you?

The message from parents is that some early years settings and schools really do put partnership into practice on these occasions. But other settings, for all the fine words, can be relatively dismissive of the concerns of parents and other carers.

Parents' concerns

So what is likely to lead parents to want 'a quiet word aboutI'? Parents may be concerned about a range of issues that matter to their child, themselves and their family. For example:

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