Working in Partnership with Families in Hove
We see parents as partners, not clients.
Our relationships are built on: openness, respect, honesty and collaboration
This shared approach supports each child’s wellbeing, development and sense of security.
We work closely with families to create a consistent, respectful and supportive experience for every child.
Strong relationships with parents are central to everything we do.
Communication with Families
The Famly App
We use the Famly app as the main channel for all communication including important kindergarten updates and shared information about your child
Open Conversations
Parents can speak to staff at drop-off, pick-up, or arrange time for more in-depth discussions.
Monthly Newsletters
Monthly Kindergarten updates are sent the Famly app with information on staffing, children’s experiences, upcoming seasonal activities, quarterly menus and sustainability tips.
The Famly App
When your child joins us, you’ll receive log-in details for Famly, our parent communication app.
Famly is the main channel for all important kindergarten updates and for shared information about your child.
It’s where parents and carers message us securely, update attendance and make any requests. All our policies are accessible through the app too.
We also post news about activities, events, sustainability projects and seasonal plans through Famly as well.
Our monthly newsletter is accessed here too, detailing what’s been happening and what’s coming up at Young Friends.
Supporting Families
We understand that every family is different.
Families can request a meeting with their child’s key person or a member of management at any time.
We support families by providing:
- guidance and reassurance
- consistency between home and kindergarten
- support with emotional wellbeing and behaviour
We work in partnership with families to support each child as a whole.
Respectful Community
Respect underpins everything we do.
- Staff model kindness, professionalism and teamwork
- Families are treated with honesty and dignity
- Children experience positive, respectful relationships every day
This creates a calm, open and welcoming community.
Expectations & Consistency
To maintain a high-quality environment for every child, we ask families to communicate clearly, follow agreed routines and engage respectfully with staff.
Simple things, like letting us know about an absence before 8am, make a real difference to how smoothly the day runs for everyone.
We also ask that families come to us directly with any questions or concerns.
We’re always happy to talk things through, and we’ll do our best to find a solution. The staff team work hard to be open and approachable, and a conversation with us will always be more useful than one on the parent WhatsApp group.
Young Friends is a different kind of kindergarten, and we’re proud of that.
Children spend a lot of time outdoors, taking on real physical challenges and learning through doing. That occasionally means a child comes home with a muddy knee or a small bump, and that’s a sign they’ve had a full and active day. We believe children have the right to take managed risks as part of their development, and we take that responsibility seriously.
You can read more about how we approach this in our Positive Risk Taking Policy.
Community and Life Events
Seasonal Experiences
We follow the rhythm of the seasons, offering meaningful, nature-connected experiences rather than tokenistic celebrations.
Stay & Play
Parents are invited into the kindergarten to spend time with their children and experience daily life alongside them.
Kitchen Garden & Local Community
Children and families spend time in our kitchen garden and wider community spaces, meeting other growers, exploring plots, picking fruit and caring for plants.
Community Sharing
Our community shed allows families to swap books, clothes and resources, supporting sustainability and connection.
Parent Evenings
We hold regular parent evenings to share children’s development, build relationships and offer support.
Community & Giving
Children take part in fundraising projects that echo our values; helping them to understand what it means to care for others and the world around them.
Why this matters?
We believe that nature and community both have a central role in the early years.
Strong parent partnerships support:
emotional security
consistency between home and kindergarten
positive outcomes for learning and development
Read more about our thinking, daily life and what makes our plant-based, nature Kindergarten one of a kind:
