To: Michele (footsteps teacher/kaiako)

Subject: footsteps - Working With Parents.

In my situation, looking after my grandchildren, my daughter is able to participate in the visits I have with Michele and benefit from her advice about the day to day care of E (Ed - name removed for privacy).

Michele in her professional capacity has a huge wealth of experience and knowledge to share about the development and milestones of each child she works with. It is only right the parents of the children Michele works with, should benefit from this knowledge.

So many parents/caregivers struggle with knowing where to access good quality information about how best to ensure their children are meeting their potential. Often, it isn't until children are at school that some parents are faced with problems they have had concerns about but had no actual professional advice about. Once in the school system it is quite difficult to access the needs of some children without having some one to guide you through the needs of each individual child.

An organisation such as footsteps, is providing good quality professional advice on an ongoing basis. Michele has established a really good relationship with all of us including my older grandchildren, who she sees on the school holidays during her visits.

Having Michele come to my home is such an advantage and such a help. She gets to have a very clear indication of how the children live and the family dynamics in each household. From this point of view, concerns or problems can be addressed.

Michelle is a very professional person to work with, who also has the personality to make people feel comfortable and at ease. She is honest and has a high level of integrity. footsteps from my point of view, has employed teachers who are well trained both in their work with children and in their capacity to work with the adults who care for these children.

footsteps has the opportunity to offer help to the caregivers of the children they work with. For children to meet their full potential and have the help and support they need, their caregivers and parents need to be included in their learning process. It seems odd that parents are not offered the opportunity to participate in something that is actually vital to the future of each child.

Yours faithfully

Linda Hosie