Parents – Partners in Evaluation
Parents should be equal partners in evaluation. Wherever possible they should be the researchers as well as the researched. We are all to some extent ‘researchful’; as children we have enquiring minds. We are all empowered in the process of knowing. Parental empowerment is impeded when professionals hold too tightly on to the reigns of power; but, when parents and professionals are equal partners, they are simply people in different guises collaborating to improve outcomes for children and their families.
Often we are all too busy to sit down and think about what we did well, how we could improve or the impact of our practice on others, but opportunity for individual and corporate reflection should be incorporated into our daily routine. Parents may spend time observing us as we go about our daily work, their perceptions are important and should be included if the evaluation is to be worth the paper is it written on. Be assured, involving parents in your evaluations encourages self-improvement and enhances the quality of your provision.
Important tip for getting started
Start with an accurate baseline:
Effective evaluations begin with an accurate baseline. If you do not know where you have start from you can not find out how far you have travelled.
Margaret Simms M.Ed., Cert. Ed.
ProCEEd Early Years Consultancy
| 
