Read the following scenarios and reflect on what you have learned about how to maintain a safe, caring community in your family child care setting. Apply this knowledge to each situation.

1. Scenario: Renee is having difficulty finding time to greet each child when they arrive at her home. She is usually getting activities ready when the children arrive and cleaning up her kitchen when they depart. How could Renee make sure she is creating a responsive family child care community with the children and their parents?
    

   For example, allow time to prepare for the day before children and families arrive; Clean up the kitchen at nap time so that you are available to talk with parents in the afternoon; Greet each family with a smile and a personal greeting; Ask how their day is going; Be genuinely interested in families; Smile and make positive statements; Share new ideas or plans for the week with parents; Briefly review what happened that day in your program; Support your parents and help parents who are in need if you can; Remain open-minded and lend a listening ear; Take the time to establish and maintain relationships with children and families; Invite families to stay and share in activities; Have a nurturing, responsive demeanor with families as well as children.
2. Scenario: Renee has noticed that “tattling,” running, and pushing takes place when the children are transitioning to play outdoors. How might Renee create a safer, more caring community? How might she encourage the older children to serve as models for the younger children?
    

   For example, model problem-solving skills; model how to regulate feelings and emotions; model language about emotions; Encourage children to appropriately share their emotions and frustrations; Plan opportunities for children to work together when transitioning; Be proactive when transitioning outdoors; Give older children a role in helping younger children transition safety outdoors.
3. Scenario: Several children in Renee’s family child care home have parents who are preparing to deploy. How can she support these families and strengthen a sense of community? (If you choose, you could use a scenario related to deployment, such as a guardian with a long-term hospitalization need, incarceration, or illness.)
    

   Establish and maintain strong relationships with children and families; Invite families to share their interests, hobbies, or experiences with the children; Create opportunities for families to meet and get to know one another; Create a safe place for your children and families; Encourage families to observe and participate in activities with their children in your program before and after deployment; Ask if there is a special item or picture that you can keep at your program to remind their child of their parent while they are gone; Share books about emotions and deployment with children and families; Offer ideas to families of how to keep in contact with their children while they are in your home including letters, calls and video calls.