VEYLDF Alignment
Item uses these practice principles: Reflective practice, Partnerships with families.
Item responds to these sub-outcomes: Not applicable
Description
Partnering with Parents from the Parenting Research Centre is a practice support system designed to support educators in their work with parents using essential and practical skills, tools and strategies.
Partnering with Parents aims to create an environment welcoming of and responsive to parents and to strengthen educators’ skills and confidence to interact and engage with parents in a way that supports their child’s learning and development.
Each early childhood service nominates staff to be trained as Practice Coaches for Partnering with Parents. These are typically senior staff (e.g., kindergarten teachers, room leaders, educational leaders, management) who provide on-the-job coaching to other staff. Practice Coaches are responsible for leading their service through the 10-12 week implementation period and supporting all staff to embed the skills within their day-to-day work.
The Partnering with Parents program consists of:
1. Initial consultation with centre leadership to:
- prepare for implementing Partnering with Parents
- agree on outcomes sought by centre and measurement tools to be employed to evaluate implementation and provide continuous quality improvement data
2. Completion of the following activities by Practice Coaches and leadership:
- eLearning course (2-4 hours)
- half-day on-site or remote training workshop
- three 1-hour webinars
- five group or individual phone consultations
3. Consultation with leadership to determine processes.
The program can be delivered through face-to-face training, online training and phone consultation, or a combination.
The Parenting Research Centre has limited spaces in the Partnering with Parents program. There are 18 spaces in the program in 2021 (nine in Term 2 and nine in Term 3). Please contact the provider if you are wish to include this program on your School Readiness Funding Plan.
Detailed Costs
Partnering with Parents training for one early childhood service: $12,600 (excl. GST)
Additional costs may include:
- Trainer Travel (via car) charged at 69 cents/km
- Accommodation and incidentals charged at $290/night
- Provision of printed hard copy materials for Practice Coaches and educators
- Other additional costs (e.g., catering for face-to-face workshops, flight/train costs) may apply.
It is recommended you contact the Menu provider for a personalised quote.
Implementation Considerations
Target Population: Educators.
Program adaptability: The program can be provided online with coaching and consultancy services provided on the phone.
Staffing: Services should consider the cost of backfill in determining the cost of accessing this resource.
Training requirements: Practice Coaches are typically senior staff (e.g., kindergarten teachers, room leaders, educational leaders, management) who will provide on-the-job coaching to other staff.
Supervision/coaching: During implementation of the program, Practice Coaches have contact with the Partnering with Parents trainers which allows for implementation trouble-shooting and problem-solving.
Tools and systems: A computer with strong and reliable internet connection is required for completion of online training and webinars. A quiet and private area is required for phone consultations.
Australian Experience: Partnering with Parents is a practice support system developed by the Parenting Research Centre with the support of the Victorian Government that embeds evidence-based approaches to working in partnership with parents in early childhood education and care services.
Priority Area
Access and Inclusion
Strength of Evidence
Level 4 – Emerging research evidence