× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Planning meetings & events Arranging childcare A significant barrier to parent attendance at meetings can be the lack of availability of appropriate childcare. If parents have young children, look at what childcare options are available or can be offered to coincide with the meeting time. While some migrant or refugee families may be uncomfortable leaving their children with strangers, others are happy to access childcare services. What you can do Find a local childcare agency that can provide occasional childcare. Fund a worker from the same cultural community as parents/carers to provide specialist childcare. Encourage parents to bring their small children to the meeting by holding meetings in a child-friendly environment and at a convenient time, e.g. late morning when the older children are in school. Ask staff to advertise the availability of culturally appropriate childcare when calling families and seek information about any particular childcare needs. Seek input from families about other solutions. Resources 0 Course menu Introduction 1 Welcome tour 2 Getting started 3 Overview 4 Benefits of engaging families 5 Issues for migrant and refugee families 6 Issues for schools Planning for engagement 1 Overview 2 Involving key staff 3 Identifying the target groups 4 Targeting communities 5 Working with community partners 6 Setting objectives 7 Allocating resources Planning meetings & events 1Overview 2Deciding on a format 3Setting the agenda 4Seeking parent and student input 5Choosing an appropriate time 6Finding a suitable location 7Arranging childcare 8Arranging catering 9Arranging transport 10Inviting families 11Translating information 12Arranging interpreters Meeting management 1 Overview 2 Arranging seating 3 Preparing and managing interpreters 4 Greeting parents 5 Keeping the discussions on track 6 Building trust 7 Exploring expectations about school involvement 8 Explaining practical systems and roles 9 Seeking feedback from parents 10 Sustaining parent involvement Ongoing support 1 Overview 2 Creating a welcoming environment 3 Seeking consent 4 Addressing parent concerns about camps 5 Catering for cultural dietary needs 6 Discussing welfare concerns with parents 7 Addressing discipline issues 8 Reporting on student progress 9 Holding parent-teacher meetings 10 Creating opportunities for meaningful involvement Acknowledgements 1 Acknowledgements Resources 0
× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Planning meetings & events Arranging childcare A significant barrier to parent attendance at meetings can be the lack of availability of appropriate childcare. If parents have young children, look at what childcare options are available or can be offered to coincide with the meeting time. While some migrant or refugee families may be uncomfortable leaving their children with strangers, others are happy to access childcare services. What you can do Find a local childcare agency that can provide occasional childcare. Fund a worker from the same cultural community as parents/carers to provide specialist childcare. Encourage parents to bring their small children to the meeting by holding meetings in a child-friendly environment and at a convenient time, e.g. late morning when the older children are in school. Ask staff to advertise the availability of culturally appropriate childcare when calling families and seek information about any particular childcare needs. Seek input from families about other solutions. Resources 0 Course menu Introduction 1 Welcome tour 2 Getting started 3 Overview 4 Benefits of engaging families 5 Issues for migrant and refugee families 6 Issues for schools Planning for engagement 1 Overview 2 Involving key staff 3 Identifying the target groups 4 Targeting communities 5 Working with community partners 6 Setting objectives 7 Allocating resources Planning meetings & events 1Overview 2Deciding on a format 3Setting the agenda 4Seeking parent and student input 5Choosing an appropriate time 6Finding a suitable location 7Arranging childcare 8Arranging catering 9Arranging transport 10Inviting families 11Translating information 12Arranging interpreters Meeting management 1 Overview 2 Arranging seating 3 Preparing and managing interpreters 4 Greeting parents 5 Keeping the discussions on track 6 Building trust 7 Exploring expectations about school involvement 8 Explaining practical systems and roles 9 Seeking feedback from parents 10 Sustaining parent involvement Ongoing support 1 Overview 2 Creating a welcoming environment 3 Seeking consent 4 Addressing parent concerns about camps 5 Catering for cultural dietary needs 6 Discussing welfare concerns with parents 7 Addressing discipline issues 8 Reporting on student progress 9 Holding parent-teacher meetings 10 Creating opportunities for meaningful involvement Acknowledgements 1 Acknowledgements Resources 0
