Assessment/communication with parents by Childcare

[Razzberry]

Nope, they arent keeping anything because I questioned them about her where all her artwork was once they said she wouldnt be getting a portfolio. Up till then I thought thats why I wasnt hardly ever getting art home. I am just so upset, I feel like crying that I have sent my child somewhere I feel they just dont care about my daughter. I hope the new centre she is going to opens soon. They said Oh if there isnt art in her folder it means she doesnt do it - ummm, you dont know my daughter because she would be doing art every waking moment, home and out if she could. I realise children act different when not at home, but she talks about artwork and asks me where it is - maybe they just chuck it out

I know different centres do different things but not to get or be told anything about her progress is just so wrong.

Franipani Lou - thanks, much appreciated.

[Floweryfields]

At my centre we have individual portfolios which parents are invited to view whenever they wish throughout the year. We have daily learning stories/obs on display, a laptop with a slideshow of photos from the day in each room and a daily program of what children have done.
We also have parent/teacher interviews for all rooms, not many parents take this option up though.

Other ways we communicate with our families - newsletters, other notes, phone calls, personal notes in lunchboxes, and personally of course! Babies have a personal communication book that goes home each day if parents wish to take it (some read and leave at centre), daily communication notice board in the toddlers and pre kindy rooms as well.

[Razzberry]

I havent seen anything displayed, except occasionally a learning story is stuck up on the pinboard (and its only that I am a ECT that I know what it is - Im sure other parents would'nt even notice it). However, I have never seen a learning story that includes my daughters name and the same learning story can be stuck to the pinboard without another for weeks.

I will def be having a meeting with the director and the head of Chn's services at the Local Council who run the centre. I just dont want the director to be awful to my child - she is just so dodgy I don't trust her, so I am going to have to have a meeting once she starts her new centre, only its going to be awkward when I give my letter giving my two weeks notice. My friend handed her notice in the other day and the director was incredibly rude and unprofessional when talking to her.

Scary to think about how some teachers keep their jobs so long - I guess this one has because she is so intimidating...

[Razzberry]

There is def NO type of communication. The only type of communication is when I say how has she been today because this morning she was upset/talking about/doing.... and then they give some vague answer. And the director doesn't even know who my child is, I always have to remind her of who I am and who my daughter is! gahhhh, reading through what everyone has posted has just made me more frustrated about the centre.

[Floweryfields]

I know every single child and their parent/s. I even know the names of most of the siblings that I see on pick up/drop off. That doesn't sound like a great centre at all!

[Razzberry]

I know! I was the Kinder/Prep/Year 2 RFF teacher at my school when I went back after maternity leave with my daughter and I taught 190 kids and I knew all their names and alot of their parents and siblings aswell. grrr

[MrsFabuloso]

They would have to have some sort of legitimate- looking documentation to pass accreditation.

[Floweryfields]

One of my former parents who moved away had come back to visit and was telling me how the staff at the new centre stopped her son from going with her one day (when collecting her daughter as well) saying "you can't go with Jane, she's not your mum". They had been there 6 weeks and no one had any clue the 2 children were siblings attending the same centre!

[nickle730]

My DD is at CC one day per week, there are approx 90 places in the centre. From the moment we enter, every person who works there welcomes her by name. They also know my name... but that might be because I am off to work when I drop her off - and I wear a name tag!!

[wysiwyg]

There is def NO type of communication. The only type of communication is when I say how has she been today because this morning she was upset/talking about/doing.... and then they give some vague answer. And the director doesn't even know who my child is, I always have to remind her of who I am and who my daughter is! gahhhh, reading through what everyone has posted has just made me more frustrated about the centre.

That doesn't sound good at all - they do seem to know everyone's names at the center we go to, and often we see various staff members (as they all start different times) on the way there too and they always say hello and sometimes chat too and haven't even started work yet. If I didn't get any written communication but got great verbal I wouldn't worry at all but sounds like you are not getting either. I know that when DH picks up he just wants to dash in and out and the level of feedback they want to give him sometimes isn't appreciated by him but I would much rather that situation.

[Astrid]

Moderator Message »
Two threads merged as they are essentially the same question posed to both parents and childcare providers.

Feel free to continue the discussion

[Frangipani Lou]

I finally found the thread!
Razzberry- how many staff were in your DD's room and how many children?
It sounds like they were doing a dodgy move with having your daughter in the 3-5 room from mid year before she had turned 3. Legally they would have needed 1 staff member for your daughter and any others under 3 and staff for children over 3. The lack of documentation isn't just slack it's just wrong. Were you signing your DD into and out of the 3-5 room or another sign in book for another room?
I hope your new centre works more in line with the department requirements and you get to see some great documentation of your child's learning journey. You are making the right decision moving cause it sounds like you're really not happy with the current centre.
I'd also encourage you to make a complaint to the department of education and early childhood so an inspection can be made and change can begin.
Btw portfolios aren't compulsory but documentation is and it can come in many forms. Portfolios are just one way of showing a child's learning and they are my preferred way of showing the learning that's happening.