What approach best supports family involvement in planning and decision-making about a preschool program?

• A. Excluding families from planning meetings.
• B. Providing occasional updates without feedback.
• C. Offering regular opportunities for parents to participate in planning and decision-making.
• D. Making decisions unilaterally without family input.

Answer: (C)

Engaging families through ongoing opportunities to participate in planning and decision-making makes the program truly family-centered. When parents and caregivers are regularly invited to contribute, their insights about routines, interests, and the child’s needs are heard and can shape policies, activities, and supports. This collaboration helps align learning experiences at home and in the program, respects families’ expertise about their child, and builds trust and open communication between families and staff. Practical ways include forming family advisory groups, inviting parents to planning meetings, inviting them to join planning teams, and regularly seeking and acting on feedback.

Excluding families, giving only occasional updates without their input, or making decisions without family involvement undermines trust and relevance, and can lead to plans that don’t fit children's real lives or families’ priorities.