Parent Engagement
& Strengthening

Compliance
Indicator

There is a parent engagement and strengthening component that the programs ensure that there is effective, two-way, comprehensive communication between staff and parents throughout the program year, including the sharing of information of the child’s progress 

Regulations/Reference

EED Program Instrument: II. Parent Engagement and Strengthening EED 07
Education Code: 8201-8203, 8207 & 82317
Title 5: 17705

Monitoring Review Evidence

• Parent Orientation Materials

• Completed Parent/Teacher Conferences

• Documentation of Parent Education Meetings | Info | Training

• Parent Advisory Committee

• Open Door Policy Statement

• Parent Involvement Activities

Family Engagement Templates

Parent Handbook

The regulations require a contractor to have an orientation for parents that includes topics such as program philosophy, program goals and objectives, program activities, eligibility criteria & priorities for enrollment, family fees and due process procedures.

What this might look like in a program:

• Participant orientations are held as a group at the beginning of each program year & individually upon enrollment thereafter

• Contractors share the orientation flyer, agenda, and sign-in sheet

• The parent orientation video aligns with the participant handbook

• Participants meet one-on-one with a site supervisor or teacher to go over licensing paperwork & receive a tour of the facility

Parent & Teacher Conferences

The regulations require that at least 2 individual parent-teacher conferences are held each year in order to share the results of their child’s assessments, screenings, progress & in collaboration with the parent develop individual goals for their child.

What this might look like in a program:

• Meet the Teacher handout is used as a starting point for building relationships with parents. It lets parents get to know their child’s teacher. To show underneath it all, teachers are real people who have a heart for teaching

• Important Date Calendar includes when parent-teacher conference week for both the first & second collections will be held

• Invitation & What to Expect handout are given to parent 3 weeks & again 1 week prior to their conference date/time

• Using data from the DRDP Online Child Rating Report, teacher completes a Child’s Developmental Progress Report form that is shared with parent(s), along with their child’s portfolio. In collaboration with parent, child goals & strategies are established

The regulations require that parent meetings with program staff are held. Note that there is no set number of meetings an agency must have.

What this might look like in a program:

• Staff use the Parent Meeting Kit to assist with planning, organizing & documenting meetings

• Parent Club meetings are held 4 times per program year

• Meeting topics include items identified from Desired Results Parent Surveys, along with the Parent Club Meeting survey that is completed at the beginning of each program year

• Parent Involvement opportunities are outlined in participant handbook

• Parenting education & parent involvement evidence includes: Schedule/Parent Important Date calendar, Meeting Announcements, Agendas, Sign-in Sheets, Minutes, Desired Results Parent Survey analysis

The regulations require a contractor to have a Parent Advisory Committee, also known as PAC that advises the contractor on issues related to services to families & children. This can be done in a formal or informal model. Some agencies have bylaws & others hold a meeting with questions. A program simply needs to ask parents what they want to see in the program.

What this might look like in a program:

• Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings are held quarterly to gather input from parents regarding issues & what they would like to see in the program related to services to families & children.

• Evidence includes: Schedule/Parent Important Date calendar, Meeting Announcements, Agendas, Sign-in Sheets, Minutes, Summary of Findings/Action

Open Door Policy Statement

The regulations require that an agency have an open door policy that encourages parents to participate in the daily activities whenever possible.

• Title 22 licensing regulations require open access during operating hours

• Title 5 encourages parent participation

What this might look like in a program:

Statement located in participant handbook & bulletin board includes both access & encourages participation. A sample open door policy statement might state:

“You may visit your child’s classroom unannounced to observe your child at any time during operational hours. Our program is based upon a partnership with parents of the children enrolled. Parents are highly encouraged to participate in their child’s program.”

Parent Involvement Activites

Parent involvement activities may be demonstrated through a range of resources.

Parent handbooks commonly highlight opportunities for engagement and outline any volunteer requirements. Additional evidence may include volunteer guidelines, required health clearances (such as tuberculosis and immunization records), and documentation of volunteer participation.

After reviewing the video lesson & sketch pad notes, it’s time to check for understanding by completing a Knowledge Check. Note that Individual Knowledge Checks will conclude with a Certificate.

Individual Knowledge Check (ProProfs) >

Group Knowledge Check (Kahoot) >