Remember: when attending the service children will be part of a group and while staff will give individual attention it may not be the same as they receive at home.
Staff working in services must comply with standards and regulations and consider how each activity, experience and routine affects the wellbeing of the whole group, as well as an individual child.
By working together, you can implement a range of routines, experiences and strategies for your child, to work at home and at the service.
Having consistent behaviour guidance strategies establishes clear expectations and helps children to understand limits. It’s important that appropriate behaviour is role modelled by both your family and staff to ensure your child receives consistent messages about what is acceptable behaviour.
It’s best to advise staff about the routines you use at home for sleep and rest, such as settling techniques and if your child has a comfort item like a blanket or special toy. It’s important to talk with staff about routines or practices that are used at home for rest and sleep time. Services need to comply with best practice and safe sleeping guidelines and are required to have in place policies and procedures about sleep and rest for children.
Ensuring that the ‘slip slop slap’ message is emphasised at home and at the service is extremely important to protect your child’s skin from sun damage.
Share your toilet training routines and strategies to help at home and in the service e.g. the signs you can identify to tell that your child needs to use the toilet.
Share your hygiene routines e.g. the correct way to wash your hands. Visit www.startingblocks.gov.au for a step by step process.
The key to maintaining consistency across home and the service is open communication between families, staff and children. This provides a strong foundation to develop partnerships, programs, experiences and routines that meet the needs of your child and family.
It’s also important for you to provide the service with current information about your child’s experiences at home, as well as information about any requirements that you have or issues that are affecting your child. This will help staff to understand what is happening with your child outside of the service and follow up on this during your child’s daily experiences and routines at the service.