Instruction
Part 2
Effective Practices for Enrolling Children
Enrolling children involves much more than the filling out of forms. It can involve interviewing parents, touring the facility, making home visits, and gradually phasing in the children. As part of the enrollment process, families are asked to complete a personal history form and to review the program policies and procedures. Samples of these forms are found on pages 210-218 in the course textbook. Please review these forms and consider the following scenario:
During a home visit with the Johnston family, you learn that their four-year-old child is an only child of a young single mom who works long hours. The child is primarily cared for by the 70-year-old grandmother who has limited mobility and is hard of hearing. The four-year-old child has never attended a program before being enrolled in your program. While interacting with the child, you notice that the child’s speech is somewhat delayed compared to peers.
How would you guide the Johnston’s through the enrollment process? In your response please include answers to the following:
What questions would you ask during the home visit with the grandmother? What additional information would you share with her?
What questions would you ask during the parent interview with the young single mother? What additional information would you share with her?
What benefits of the gradual phase in will you stress for the 4-year-old who is an only child and has never attended a program?
What program aspects would you highlight during the facility tour to help the Johnston’s better understand program expectations and ways the program will benefit their child?
What additional actions would you take to support this new family and their acclimation to your program?