ABSTRACT
Collaboration supports families’ confidence that their children are safe and protected at school. Families also become aware that their suggestions to the program’s structure and content are welcome. The school’s responsibility is to acknowledge the partnership and encourage families to make positive contributions to the early childhood program’s success. Frequent and regular communication with families is at the heart of forming a healthy home/school relationship. The parent-teacher conference is not the only approach to communicating with families. Some schools and centers develop campuswide newsletters that go home with every child, while others expect teachers to plan and transmit newsletters for their classroom clientele. Many schools and centers develop family handbooks and give them to families when children enroll. The key when having a spontaneous conversation is to refrain from confronting families with comments that are more appropriate to share in private conferences.
