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Practice With Parents: Nursery :lasses, playgroups and toddler groups are ideal forums for liscussing the elements of good practice with parents, and ve have included an example in chapter 7 of a nursery class >perating a PACT scheme. This particular scheme has led to a school -and it may be impossible for teachers to work with every parent. Nevertheless, the examples of successful practice we do have should encourage schools to overcome the difficulties and to try to work with the great majority of parents.
Other parents listening who are in the same position, and it is essential to let them know that the school does not see help with reading as applying only to the early stages, but that you are concerned with the child's development as a fluent reader, able to learn from his or her own reading and to discuss it critically. So this can be an opportunity to talk about all the different activities that are part of good reading practice.
The school's recognition of the importance of parents' interest and concern for their children had produced, if a little patchily, a certain openness and relaxation in the school. Talking to parents and, more importantly, listening to them, was a daily practice. Certain routines made this possible. If they wished, parents could wait for or with their children in the playground and then come directly into school to speak to the head or a teacher about a small or large issue without an appointment or any need to break through difficult procedures.
Our parents have organized a Parents, Teachers and Friends Group. They felt that, to be more effective, a formal group should exist, with a committee. Thus die PTFG was formed and is now fully active, involving itself with the running of the school, organizing meetings, creches, arranging fetes and other fund-raising events. Even as individuals, parents have now learnt that they can make suggestions or question any practice or decision made by the staff They are actively encouraged to do this, and are sure of a chance for discussion or a listening ear.
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