Building strong, trusting relationships with parents is central to high-quality childminding practice. Ofsted’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework highlights the importance of working closely with families, stating that early years providers must “work in partnership with parents and/or carers to promote the learning and development of all children in their care.” This partnership helps to ensure that every child’s needs are met, their progress is supported both at home and in the setting, and parents feel included, respected, and well informed about their child’s experiences.
Communicating Effectively with Families
Good communication forms the foundation of partnership working. Parents rely on childminders not only to keep their children safe, but also to keep them updated about their daily routines, achievements, and overall wellbeing. Sharing information about how a child’s day has gone helps parents feel reassured and connected to their child’s early learning journey.
These daily exchanges might include updates about what the child has eaten, how long they have slept, the activities they have enjoyed, and how they have interacted with others. Over time, these small conversations build a complete picture of the child’s development, temperament, and interests. Discussing next steps in learning, for example encouraging fine motor skills or supporting emotional literacy, also helps parents understand how to continue supporting their child at home.
There are many ways to communicate this information. Face-to-face conversations at drop-off or collection are often the most natural and personal way to connect with parents. However, written communication can be just as valuable whether that’s through paper daily sheets or digital updates using secure software. Platforms such as Tapestry, Baby’s Days, and other early years management systems allow practitioners to upload observations, photos, and progress reports in real time. This gives parents an opportunity to view and comment on their child’s experiences, creating a shared dialogue that strengthens the home–setting partnership.
Many of these digital tools offer a free trial period, which allows childminders to explore their features and decide which platform suits their setting best before committing financially. It is worth investing time in finding a system that feels intuitive, secure, and fits the size and style of your business.
Involving Parents
Another key element is involving parents in the child’s learning and development. Childminders can share observations, learning journals, or photographs to showcase a child’s achievements and milestones. This helps parents understand the child’s progress and encourages them to extend learning at home. Involving parents in planning activities or special projects can further strengthen the partnership. When parents feel their input is valued, they are more likely to engage actively in their child’s early years education, creating a seamless link between home and the childminding setting.
Understanding the values and expectations
Mutual respect and understanding are also crucial. Every family has its own values, routines, and expectations. Childminders should take time to understand each family’s background and needs, avoiding assumptions or judgments. Respecting cultural differences, parenting styles, and family dynamics helps build trust and demonstrates professionalism. At the same time, childminders have a duty to maintain clear boundaries, ensuring that the child’s safety, wellbeing, and developmental needs remain the priority. Establishing clear policies and sharing them with parents can prevent misunderstandings and create a framework for cooperation.
Flexibility and Problem-Solving: Supporting Parents as a Childminder
Flexibility and problem-solving are among the most important skills a childminder can develop when working in partnership with parents. Every family is unique, with different routines, expectations, and parenting styles, which means that situations requiring careful negotiation are inevitable. Parents may have concerns about their child’s routines, behaviour, sleep patterns, dietary needs, or specific developmental challenges. In these moments, a childminder’s approach can make a significant difference, ensuring that concerns are addressed constructively and the child continues to thrive.
Active listening is at the heart of effective problem-solving. Childminders must demonstrate genuine empathy, giving parents space to express their worries without interruption or judgment. This includes using skills such as reflective listening—repeating back or summarising what the parent has shared to ensure understanding—and asking open-ended questions that encourage detailed discussion. For example, instead of simply asking, “Is everything okay?” a childminder might say, “Can you tell me more about the routines at home and what you feel is challenging right now?” This approach reassures parents that their concerns are being heard and taken seriously, strengthening trust in the partnership.
Once concerns have been shared, problem-solving often involves collaboration and flexibility. Childminders can offer practical solutions while remaining open to adapting their own routines or practices where appropriate. For instance, adjusting meal or nap schedules slightly to mirror home routines can provide consistency for the child and reassurance for the parent. It’s important, however, to maintain professional boundaries and ensure that all changes remain in the child’s best interests. By showing a willingness to work together and adapt thoughtfully, childminders communicate their commitment to supporting the child holistically.
Sometimes, a childminder may identify concerns that require additional support beyond their expertise. In such cases, referral pathways are vital. This could include directing parents to health visitors, speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, or local early intervention services. Explaining referrals with sensitivity and reassurance is crucial, emphasising that seeking specialist guidance is a positive step to support the child’s wellbeing and development. Childminders should communicate this clearly, framing it as a collaborative effort to ensure the child receives the most appropriate care and guidance.
Throughout this process, reassurance plays a key role. Parents often feel anxious when discussing challenges, and a childminder’s calm, understanding response can alleviate stress. Simple gestures—acknowledging their concerns, highlighting the child’s strengths, or sharing small successes—help parents feel supported rather than judged. This ongoing reassurance fosters a sense of shared responsibility and reinforces the idea that the childminder and parent are working together as a team.
Finally, celebrating successes together strengthens the bond between childminder and parents. Acknowledging developmental milestones, personal achievements, or positive behaviour encourages a sense of shared responsibility. It reinforces that the child’s wellbeing is a joint effort and highlights the importance of teamwork. Simple gestures, such as sending a note home or organising a small event to showcase learning, can make parents feel appreciated and engaged in their child’s journey.
Safeguarding and Data Protection
Safeguarding extends beyond protecting children from harm, it also includes protecting their personal information. Childminders are responsible for ensuring that all data about children and families is stored securely and shared appropriately. This means complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
All personal information, including photographs, contact details, developmental records, and any medical or safeguarding notes, must be kept confidential and used only for legitimate purposes. Parental consent should always be sought before sharing photographs or using children’s images for displays, journals, or social media.
When choosing to use digital software, it is essential to check that the provider meets UK data protection standards and uses encrypted, secure servers. Childminders should also ensure that passwords are strong and regularly updated, and that no login information is shared with others. If records are stored on personal devices, these must be password-protected and ideally separated from personal files. This not only protects families’ privacy but also demonstrates to Ofsted and parents that the setting takes information security seriously.
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2025 Update)
The updated Working Together to Safeguard Children (2025) guidance continues to emphasise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. For childminders, this means knowing when and how to share information with parents and professionals in order to protect a child’s welfare. Practitioners must always record concerns accurately, store records securely, and share information with other agencies when there is a legitimate reason to do so.
While confidentiality is vital, it should never be used as a reason to withhold information that could help to protect a child from harm. The 2025 guidance reinforces the importance of professional judgment recognising that sometimes information may need to be shared without consent if a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. Understanding this balance between privacy and safety is a key part of professional safeguarding practice.
Partnership and Ofsted Expectations
Ofsted places significant emphasis on the quality of partnership with parents. During inspections, inspectors will look for evidence that families are kept fully informed about their child’s development and are encouraged to contribute to their learning. They will also expect to see that childminders communicate next steps, share progress, and provide ideas for supporting learning at home.
Effective partnership is not just about communication it is about collaboration. Parents and childminders working together create a consistent approach that benefits the child emotionally, socially, and educationally. When parents feel valued, informed, and involved, they are more likely to reinforce positive learning experiences at home and to share any concerns early, helping practitioners to respond swiftly and appropriately.
Confidentiality and professionalism underpin this relationship. Ofsted expects childminders to maintain a respectful, trustworthy approach, ensuring that families’ personal information is never discussed inappropriately and that professional boundaries are always upheld.
Strong communication and effective safeguarding go hand in hand. By using secure systems, maintaining clear records, and fostering open, honest dialogue with parents, childminders can create a partnership that fully supports each child’s wellbeing and development. The combination of transparent communication, robust data protection, and a shared commitment to safeguarding ensures that parents remain well informed and confident in the care their child receives exactly what Ofsted, and most importantly families, expect from outstanding early years practice.
Ofsted Early Years Inspection Toolkit 2025
The Ofsted Early Years Inspection Handbook outlines specific grading descriptors to evaluate partnership working with parents. These descriptors help inspectors determine the quality of engagement and support provided. The grades are as follows:
Outstanding: Providers demonstrate exceptional partnership working with parents. They proactively engage with families, ensuring that parents are fully involved in their child's learning and development. There is a strong emphasis on communication, inclusivity, and support for families.
Good: Providers have effective partnerships with parents. They maintain regular communication and involve parents in their child's learning. Support is available for families, and feedback mechanisms are in place.
Requires Improvement: Providers have some partnership working with parents, but there are areas for development. Communication may be inconsistent, and parental involvement in learning may be limited. Support for families might not be fully accessible.
Inadequate: Providers fail to establish effective partnerships with parents. Communication is poor, and parents are not adequately involved in their child's learning. There is a lack of support for families, and feedback mechanisms are ineffective or absent.