Families are always encouraged to make their voices heard at Pen Green. Local families have consistent input into all of our services and are regularly consulted for their views on our ways of working. Following any consultation, we publish the outcomes around the centre to let families know about any changes and improvements.

Families can share their thoughts in a number of ways:

Completing a 'Parent Voice' survey

Families are asked to complete an evaluation or ‘Parent Voice’ during regular evaluation weeks and/or when they child transitions from any one of our provisions (for example nursery, early years or crèche).  During evaluation weeks the link to the online survey can be found here.

Annual satisfaction survey

This usually happens in December. Parents from across the centre are asked to share their views on the services they access.

Attending a parent forum

We hold regular forums for all parents to meet, share and discuss their suggestions. Dates are shared around the centre and on social media.

Contacting a Parent Governor or our Parent Participation Worker

Parent governors represent the views of families on the governing body. Families can also contact the Parent Participation Worker if they wish to discuss any concerns or make any suggestions regarding the service.

Working in Partnership

Families are always encourage to participate in activities at the centre. Carers can join their child in nursery or attend the Groupwork Programme. Those wishing to volunteer at a group or in nursery can contact the Homestart office on 01536 409612. For more information on volunteering at Pen Green, please click here.

Principles for Engaging with Families

The evidence is unequivocal that working in partnership with families to build on home learning is the best way to have effective impact on the development of children.  Since 1983 we have adopted a systemic approach to engaging with children and their families.  We acknowledge the critical importance of developing relations with all the important adults in the child’s life, working in partnership with families to develop sustained engagement with families over time.

Pen Green has pioneered a shift away from a conventional model of teaching and learning to a new model where parents and staff work together as co-educators. Our approach holds that:

  • parents have a strong commitment to their children
  • that shared power counters oppression
  • that our services must be accessible to all carers and parents and must respond to the challenges accessibility poses
  • families need to choose the services that are useful to them
  • we get nowhere by blaming the parents who all want the best for their children
  • families with various cultures and languages derive no benefit from being stereotyped
  • we do not have to struggle alone, our networks are our strength
  • our duty is to respond flexibly rather than expect families to adapt to our ways
  • of all our teachers, parents are often the smartest

We believe that successful and sustained engagement with families:

  • is maintained when practitioners work alongside families in valued working relationships, and respect what families already know and do
  • requires practitioners and parents listening to and learning from each other
  • needs practitioners to find ways to actively engage those who do not traditionally access services
  • happens when parents are decision-makers in organisations and services and when families’ views, opinions and expectations of services are raised and their confidence increases as service users
  • happens by supporting the whole family through universal services, but with opportunities for more intensive support where most needed
  • requires effective support and supervision for staff, encouraging evaluation and self-reflection
  • requires an understanding and honest sharing of issues around safeguarding

Recent Feedback from Parents

This centre has been a life line for my first child and I, and now my second.

I was first introduced to this centre when I first admitted that I was suffering from PND when my child was 4/5 months old. A worker came to my house and was so kind and encouraged me to go to the centre. I first went to meet her at the breastfeeding group I was so nervous but everyone was so kind it was a group I continued to go to for a long time. I also then started going to Growing Together too –  it was so nice spending time with my baby. I then started going to the GAP group which meant I had to leave my child in creche!!! I was very hesitant but with the support of the staff and knowing my baby was happy and safe not far away with the creche staff I did it, and it did me the world of good.

Now it’s my first child who by far has benefited the most from coming here. It was a staff member in Little Jimmy’s who first told me about the Let’s Play group on a Friday after I said he had been referred to speech and language. A few weeks later I started the group and it was so nice and it was very small and quite which meant my child coped a lot better. I also had the chance to attend a course and speech whilst there so I could help him better. Most importantly this time meant the SENCO got to know Connor so he could have the best possible start in nursey, and that he did!

He has been in the den and had support from a one to one worker for the last few months. To say my child has come on leaps and bounds is an understatement to say the least. The support that has been given to us has been unreal from helping to bring him on and making referrals where needed, to helping with transitioning to school. He still isn’t where he needs to be but is without a shadow of a doubt much further along because of his time spent in the den.

We owe a lot to this centre and will forever be grateful x

I took my daughter to baby massage, not only was it good for her as she suffered from colic and what I learnt in the group I could do at home, it made me get dressed, put my face on and get out of the house. I got to talk to other mums that had lack of sleep and all the worries that I had.

Through baby massage I have 3 amazing friends that understand all that I’m going through. My daughter is now at nursery in the snug and is loving it. She and I have a great relationship with our family support worker, whenever I have a problem it very quickly becomes sorted. I would always recommend Pen Green to anyone.

I would like to thank Pen Green for all the help and support you have shown to me and my son. From day one you have made us feel so comfortable and welcomed us in. This has come at a time when we as a family needed it most. We love coming to the group and I’ve started to notice a change in my son, although his autism will never go away he’s learning new skills and his confidence is growing. You have gone above and beyond and I honestly can’t thank you all enough.

Thank you so so much, you all have made such a difference in not just my son’s life but mine too.