Welcoming Families From Around the World

Welcoming Families From Around the World

By

Anita L. Coles

A family from Poland plans to enroll their child Artur in our child care learning facility. Until this year, the family has never traveled outside of Europe. Therefore, I believe that making this family feel welcome and most of all wanted, is the childcare staff‘s top priority.  To try to help Artur feel welcome and comfortable while in our facilities; and until I can meet with Artur’s family for specifics, I will take the initiative and provide the following:

1.    The facility has a journal/book that we have the parents fill out when they child first begin the center. This particular book is called “Tell us about (The child’s name).” The book has specific questions  such as; what name does your child like to be called ; in trying to help your child free comfortable especially during the “getting use to us period,” whom would  your child feel the most comfortable with male or female; what are some of your child’s favorite foods…

2.  Provide the family with the Childcare’s Parent Handbook in the language that the family will understand.

3.  Prior to the first meeting, have the family record and   bring with them any questions; concerns, or request that they may have. Review with the family each question; concern; and or request. Be prepared to either have answers for their questions; provide insights to their concerns; information regarding the center’s policies and procedures.

 

4.  Collect as provide important contact information.

5.  Make sure that the family is aware of as well as understand that the childcare center has an “open door policy.”

 

I believe that these preparations will benefit both the family and our staff. By meeting with the family and having the family tells us about their interest and cultural preferences can help eliminate taking anything for granted. We do not want to assume what interest families coming from another country are.

By asking the family what their interest are including cultural interest, in my opinion, shows respect; compassion, and a sense of welcome. I believe that it is equally important for the families to become aware of the child care center’s policies and procedures. The center is a place of business and the family expects excellent care services (as should be), therefore both the family and the service providers shall have a clear understanding of all services that will be provided.  

 

Reference

Kingsley, P. (2011). New Europe: the life of a Polish family.

      The Guardian.