C311 Parents’ aspirations

Licensing criterion and guidance for C311 Parents’ aspirations.

On this page

Criterion C311

Positive steps are taken to respect and acknowledge the aspirations held by parents and whānau for their children.

Curriculum criteria documentation required

Guidance

Children are a taonga of their whānau | families. All parents have particular goals and dreams for their children. These aspirations may be about the individual child and/or may be about the child within the context of their collective group.

Educators need to listen carefully and respectfully to the aspirations shared by parents. Sometimes the goals parents identify for their children may not fit comfortably with the service philosophy or what you understand about children’s learning and development. In these situations, it is important to discuss this with the parents, articulating your understanding and find a way to meet the parents' aspirations that is appropriate to your service.

Examples of what this might look like in practice:

  • Educators are receptive to information about children’s lives at home and incorporate it into their planning and programme.

  • There are regular opportunities provided for parents to share their goals for their child with educators.

  • Families are confident to visit, talk with staff, ask questions and offer information about their child.

  • Educators are receptive to information about children’s lives at home and incorporate it into their planning and programme.

  • There are regular opportunities provided for parents to share their goals for their child with educators.

  • Families are confident to visit, talk with staff, ask questions, and offer information about their child. What informal and formal opportunities for engaging with parents are regularly taken (and recorded) to develop an understanding of their aspirations for their child? In what way does our service use consultation to support change?

  • How do we create an atmosphere that enables free sharing of ideas and opinions?

  • In what ways do our notions of power impact on parents sharing their aspirations?

  • Whose knowledge is viewed as the most valuable?

  • What happens when parents and whānau challenge our interpretations of anything? Is the process around this one of empowerment?

  • Who decides how whānau | families are consulted? What is the agenda for this consultation?