5.5.2
Family Conferences
In order to meet performance standard requirements, Teachers must hold family conferences, as needed, but no less than two times per program year, to enhance the knowledge and understanding by both staff and parents of the child’s education and developmental progress and activities in the program.
Teachers should plan family conferences in conjunction with the Family Worker whenever possible.
First Family Conference
The purpose of the First Family Conference is to develop the child’s goals and discuss the child’s progress. The First Family Conference should be held within two weeks of completing the first DRDP rating.
During the First Family Conference, discuss the items listed on the First Family Conference Form. Check off each item listed on the form as they are discussed during the conference. Add any site-specific information and family information shared during the conference.
The following items are listed on the First Family Conference form:
- Share observations conducted by the staff as well as the parent
- Update Need and Service Plan, if applicable (EHS only)
- Update Introduction to New Foods Checklist (EHS only)
- Share portfolio collections gathered and explain the process of collecting work samples
- Share the results of screeners and assessments
- Explain goal setting process with parent:
- Share child’s strengths
- Areas child is currently working on
- Ways the staff will work on the goals with the child and how often
- How the parent can help support their child in the home
- Set goals with parent using the Action Plan found in the Parent Progress Report in Learning Genie
- Share information on any upcoming events
- Site-specific information
- Individual family information
At the end of the conference, the Teacher, Parent, Family Worker (if present) and Bilingual Aide (if present) must sign the completed First Family Conference form and Child Goals and Developmental Progress form. Give a copy of the child goals to the family. After the visit, file the completed forms in the child’s file under the Education section.
Important Notes:
- Conference should be approx. 30-45 min. in length and held at the center, according to the parent’s needs (availability).
- Prior to the visit, determine if an interpreter (Bilingual Aide) is needed.
- If the conference is cancelled, three attempts must be made to reschedule the conference. If the attempts are unsuccessful, staff will create the child goals and send a copy home to the parent. If the parent cancels the conference, it counts as an attempt.
- Remember to document reason for no contact, attempts made, or cancellations on Education Purple Cover Sheet.
- If it is not possible for the parent to meet face to face, a phone conference may be conducted.
Second Family Conference
The purpose of the Second Family Conference is to discuss the child’s progress, and complete the child’s Individual Transition Plan.
The Second Family Conference will be held according to each classrooms Ongoing Assessment Timeline.
During the Second Family Conference, discuss the items listed on the Second Family Conference Form. Check off each item listed on the form as they are discussed during the conference. Add any site-specific information and family information shared during the conference.
The following items are listed on the Second Family Conference form:
- Share observations conducted by the staff as well as the parent
- Share portfolio collections gathered and explain the process of collecting work samples
- Provide parent with information related to their child’s development. Developmental information can come from Ages and Stages Questionnaire, California Early Learning Foundations, Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Creative Curriculum Learning Games, and/or Desired Results Developmental Profile.
- Update Needs and Services Plan, if applicable (EHS only)
- Update Introduction of New Foods Checklist (EHS only)
- Share information on upcoming events
- Update Emergency Card if needed. Be sure to put information in Child Plus.
- Develop Individual Transition Plan (ITP). This is the time to start the process of thinking about where the child will be attending school next year. Enter the date into Child Plus. All goals must have completion date or be included on ITP as parents will continue to work on the goals during the summer.
- Site-specific information
- Individual family information
At the end of the conference, the Teacher, Parent, Family Worker (if present) and Bilingual Aide (if present) must sign the completed Second Family Conference form. After the visit, file the completed form in the child’s file under the Education section.
Important Notes:
- Conference should be approx. 30-45 min. in length and held at the center, according to the parent’s needs (availability).
- Prior to the visit determine if an interpreter (Bilingual Aide) is needed.
- If the conference is cancelled, three attempts must be made to reschedule the conference. If the attempts are unsuccessful, staff will update the child goals and send a copy home to the parent.
- Remember to document reason for no contact, attempts made, or cancellations on Education Purple Cover Sheet.
- If it is not possible for the parent to meet face to face, a phone conference may be conducted.