Good communication helps children feel safe, supported, and understood. At Hollyhill Knocknaheeny Family Centre, we aim to work in partnership with parents and guardians through clear, respectful, and appropriate communication.

The Family Centre uses different communication methods depending on the type of information being shared.

How We Communicate With Parents

The Family Centre may communicate with parents and guardians through:

• face-to-face conversations,
• phone calls,
• email,
• Child Path,
• WhatsApp Community/groups,
• printed notices,
• letters,
• noticeboards,
• website updates,
• Facebook updates, where appropriate.

Different communication methods may be used for different purposes.

Face-to-Face Communication

Parents and guardians are welcome to speak with staff about day-to-day matters.

Short conversations may take place at drop-off or collection times where appropriate. However, staff may not always be able to have detailed conversations during busy periods when children are arriving, leaving, or being supervised.

If you need a longer or more private conversation, please arrange a suitable time to speak with the Manager, Lead Educator, or relevant staff member.

Phone Communication

For urgent or important matters, please phone the Family Centre directly.

Phone contact should be used for:

• illness,
• absence,
• collection changes,
• emergency contact updates,
• urgent child-related information,
• medication or allergy concerns,
• same-day issues,
• safeguarding or welfare concerns.

Phone: 021 439 2300

Email Communication

Email may be used for general enquiries, forms, documents, enrolment information, policy questions, and non-urgent communication.

Please do not rely on email for urgent same-day matters, as emails may not be seen immediately.

Email: thefamilycentre2020@gmail.com

Child Path

The Family Centre uses Child Path to support communication with parents and guardians and to share appropriate updates about children’s daily care, learning, and development.

Child Path may be used for:

• daily updates,
• messages,
• care information,
• activity updates,
• meals,
• sleep,
• nappies or toileting updates,
• learning observations,
• photos or videos, where appropriate consent has been given.

Child Path should be used respectfully and only for communication connected to your own child and the Family Centre’s service.

WhatsApp Community and Groups

The Family Centre may use WhatsApp Community/groups to share general updates and reminders with parents and guardians.

WhatsApp may be used for:

• general the Family Centre's updates,
• reminders,
• class or room notices,
• event information,
• schedule updates,
• non-confidential parent communication.

Participation in WhatsApp groups is optional.

If you choose to join a WhatsApp group, your phone number and WhatsApp profile information may be visible to other group members, depending on your own WhatsApp settings.

Parents and guardians may leave a WhatsApp group at any time.

What WhatsApp Should Not Be Used For

WhatsApp should not be used for:

• emergencies,
• complaints,
• safeguarding or child protection concerns,
• confidential child information,
• sharing information about other children or families,
• urgent medical information,
• arguments or disputes,
• offensive, abusive, or inappropriate messages,
• sharing photos or videos of children without permission.

For urgent matters, please phone the Family Centre directly.

For complaints or sensitive concerns, please speak directly with the Manager or relevant staff member.

Respectful Communication

All communication with the Family Centre should be respectful.

Parents and guardians are expected to communicate politely with staff, children, other parents, students, volunteers, and visitors.

The Family Centre will not accept:

• aggressive language,
• threatening behaviour,
• abusive messages,
• discriminatory comments,
• harassment,
• gossip about children, families, or staff,
• inappropriate social media comments,
• sharing private information without permission.

Where communication becomes inappropriate, the Family Centre may take action in line with its policies and procedures.

Photos, Videos, and Privacy

Parents and guardians must respect the privacy of all children and families.

Please do not take, share, post, or forward photos or videos of other children without permission.

This includes sharing through:

• WhatsApp,
• Facebook,
• Instagram,
• Messenger,
• TikTok,
• email,
• other websites or social media platforms.

The Family Centre only publishes photos or videos of children where appropriate parental consent has been obtained.

Keeping Contact Details Up to Date

Parents and guardians must keep their contact details up to date.

Please inform the Family Centre immediately if there are changes to:

• phone numbers,
• email addresses,
• home address,
• emergency contacts,
• authorised collection persons,
• medical information,
• allergy information,
• family circumstances that may affect the child’s care.

Accurate contact details help the Family Centre respond quickly and safely when needed.