NDNA Highlights Crucial Importance of Partnerships with Parents During Challenging Times

March 29, 2011 - PRLog -- National Day Nurseries Association, Head Office, 28 March 2011 – National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) today urged nurseries to ensure that staff had the skills to develop strong partnerships with parents during difficult times.

NDNA highlighted how nurseries understand the value of working with families so that children can gain the very most from their time at nursery and learning was extended into the home. However, the organisation added that it was vital that practitioners are also equipped with the skills to support parents during challenging times such as financial difficulty, separation or bereavement. NDNA said that many of its members were reporting growing issues with debt and redundancy, and shared how it was crucial that the nursery team understood how such issues can change the dynamics of a parent-partnership and be equipped with the skills and knowledge to maintain the relationship.

With cuts in the availability of free and low cost training, NDNA said that its online ‘Working in Partnership with Parents’ course can help the nursery team develop these vital skills. Covering a range of essential areas including overcoming issues, listening and communication, communication styles and extending learning into the home, this will help nurseries work with all types of parents and carers. Each course is priced at an affordable £40 + VAT for NDNA members and £50 plus VAT for non-members and can be undertaken at a time and pace to suit the nursery. The full range of online courses can be seen at http://www.ndna.org.uk/training

Stella Ziolkowski, Director of Quality and Workforce Development at NDNA comments: “The current economic climate means that some parents are struggling financially or have worries, and these can affect the relationship between them and the setting. Of course, children can be affected too and it is important that practitioners can access information so that they can help the family. Indeed, recent research shows that two thirds of parents may have to reduce their childcare due to cuts in support from tax credits, so it is also critical that parents understand the value of nursery for their child. Various factors can influence the relationship with parents, and staff must be equipped to respond and deal with new challenges as well as continuing to offer a supportive environment. Our affordable online course helps develop these essential skills, as well as equipping practitioners with the knowledge to tackle any difficulties with new and existing families.”

To find out more about NDNA and training available please visit http://www.ndna.org.uk

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Notes to editors:  

For more information, to arrange interviews or photographs please contact Hayley Wilson, Senior Press and Policy Officer on T: 01484 40 70 66 E: hayley.wilson@ndna.org.uk M: 07718 803 652. NDNA can also supply features and articles on a variety of training topics – please contact Hayley for further information.  

National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children. NDNA is the voice of the sector, an integral part of the lives of nearly one million children and their families.

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National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children.