Economic and social changes have brought us to a new place in history where quality child care is equally as important as education in determining a child’s future. School Age Child Care needs to be an integral part of the school system and the community. It is more important than ever to strengthen the ties between SACC programs and schools, and to establish a holistic approach to addressing the needs of our children. Listed below are suggestions for building strong partnerships with schools.
Appraise school and community officials of how communities benefit from SACC programs by:
1. combating drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse, accidents and other far-reaching problems that develop when children are unsupervised;
2. making parents less anxious and more productive at their place of employment because they know their children are in a quality program;
3. helping parents to view schools more positively as centers of community activity and family support;
4. increasing the public support of schools as they cooperate in meeting the needs of families;
5. encouraging families to move into communities that have SACC programs; and
6. preventing children from being dropped off long before school begins and picked up long after school is dismissed, thereby creating additional problems for administrators.
Appear before local Boards of Education to update them on your SACC program’s progress and activities.
Request that your SACC staff be invited to faculty meetings.
Keep school principals informed of your program activities by providing them with a monthly newsletter and activity calendar.
Establish a positive relationship with the school custodians.
Supply school secretaries with all the necessary information needed to answer questions about your program.
Provide school principals with an annual evaluation form which asks them the following questions:
1. Is communication between SACC and their office adequate?
2. Is the philosophy of the SACC program compatible with the school’s educational philosophy?
3. Are SACC staff members working cooperatively with the school and following school policy and rules?
4. Did they receive any feedback from parents about the program?
5. Do they feel comfortable referring parents in need of child care to the SACC program?
6. What do they consider to be the positive elements of the SACC program?
The effort your put into strengthening your links with the schools will be well worth the time it takes. If you sow a positive relationship, your program will reap many rewards.