You receive a call from a parent at the end of the day. Harper, a child in your program, just celebrated her birthday and her family sent in homemade cupcakes to share with Harper’s class. Harper’s parent was very upset when Harper came home with the cupcakes untouched and wants an explanation from Harper’s teacher about why her birthday wasn’t celebrated with her class. What might you say to Harper’s parent? How would you support Harper’s teacher in navigating this situation with Harper’s parent?

Trina, one of your school-age staff members comes to you with concerns about a parent. This parent has reached out to Trina about another child spitting on their child, Zeke. Trina explains that she witnessed the incident, that it was an accident and the other child apologized to Zeke and the two children went back to playing. Trina says that she explained this to Zeke’s parent, but that the parent insists the other child has been bullying Zeke. What steps would you take to help Trina resolve this matter with Zeke’s parent?

Candice, a preschool teacher in your program, is having tension with a parent. Jake, a 3-year-old in Candice’s classroom, loves to engage in a variety of activities, including dress-up. Jake’s caregivers have asked Candice not to let Jake play dress-up because it’s “for girls.” Candice has quietly ignored this request and continues to let Jake play dress up. Now Jake’s caregivers are angry and accusing Candice of trying to push her beliefs on their child. What might you say to Candice, and how would you move forward to help repair the relationship with Jake’s caregivers?

Kayla, a toddler in your program, is almost always the last child to be picked up by her parents. One day after Kayla is picked up, a staff member says to you, “I wish they cared more about their child, Kayla deserves better.” How might you respond to this staff member? What steps (if any) would you take to address this way of thinking in your program?