Parent Satisfaction Survey

[brightstarts]

We are looking to have parents complete a parent satisfaction survey. We want it to be something that parents can tell us what they like and what they would like us to add or what they think we need to improve on. I've tried looking up survey's online, but haven't found anything that I really like. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what we should include? Do you have a survey you are willing to share?

Thanks!

[Oneluckymom]

Are you a center or home daycare?

If you are a home daycare I wouldnt do it personally. While it is good in "thought" it could actually turn out bad for you. These parents are going to have all the power in your daycare and want to see you now make those changes they suggest. Are you prepared to do this?

Also, they should be pleased with what you have offered thus far and if they werent happy coming to you they would probably let you know. They dont run your daycare, YOU do. JMO

Oh, I know there will be a lot more advice from others on this too. I know of a few who have actually done the survey.

[Meeko]

I would never do it.

Parents would then feel they have some say in how you run your business. It's a given that a parent would "suggest" something she wants and if you don't do it, there will be sulking or worse.

I would never give the impression that I was open to changing policies upon the request of a client.

It's also not a real reflection of how the parents feel. Many will praise because they don't want to upset you. Others will gripe for the sake of griping and also upset you!

Do it YOUR way.

[Blackcat31]

Every year I do a parent satisfaction survey for my parents.

It doesn't mean I am changing anything or that I am giving them the power to run my business.

It is a helpful tool for me to assess what I am doing and to continue to meet the changing needs of the current community of parents seeking services.

[daycare]

Every year I do a parent satisfaction survey for my parents.

It doesn't mean I am changing anything or that I am giving them the power to run my business.

It is a helpful tool for me to assess what I am doing and to continue to meet the changing needs of the current community of parents seeking services.

I started out doing this last year and it went over very well.

I think that how you word things in the letter that you send out to the parents will let them know what you expect form it and what they will expect from it as well.

I tried to find the letter that I sent out, but it was basically along the lines that blackcat mentioned that I was using it as a tool for me to asses myself and the program.

[brightstarts]

I think it's a little different for a home daycare vs. a center. We are a center. We can't possibly see everything single thing that happens/is said in every single classroom. I'm don't doing it so the parents can think they can change something, I'm looking for issues. For example, if I have 10 parents tell me their child isn't greeted in the morning, I need to address this. If I have parents say that they wish we used worksheets, than I need to educate parents that worksheets don't belong in an early childhood setting.

See what I mean?

[canadiancare]

I am digging way back into my schooling for this one since I graduated in 1990.
Take your license requirements and make a section based on everything that you are legally required to do.

For example. on your parent information board

Menus and planning sheets are posted and up to date.
Health and safety policies are posted and up to date
Medical policies are posted and up to date

playground equipment is age appropriate and safe

is the license current and posted?


for the parent section if you were the parent sending your child to the centre what would be the ideal

for example
My child is greeted cheerfully upon arrival
I feel that my family is a welcome part of this daycare community
The toys my child uses are clean, safe and age appropriate


Look at your centre's mission statement and make sure your questions reflect ways you can meet your targets.



I am lucky that I do home daycare and my parent satisfaction is written in Christmas cards.