Importance of a Good Parent-Provider Relationship

Trust

• Of all the components of a positive parent-provider relationship, trust is among the most vital. After all, you're allowing another adult to care for your child, and you hope that she cares for him in the same way you would, offering protection, care and kindness. It's important that your relationship with your caregiver is such that you know your child is getting the same level of care that you would give. Trust allows you to feel confident in your choice of caregiver, which goes a long way in offering parental peace of mind.

Communication

• Parents and caregivers must maintain a healthy and open line of communication for the relationship to truly work, notes the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families. A healthy parent-provider relationship allows you to approach your caregiver about a certain issue and for your caregiver to feel comfortable bringing up certain topics with you. Open communication means you're working as a team to do what's best for your child. When you maintain a solid parent-caregiver relationship, you're able to trust and honor your caregiver's opinion.

Mutual Goals

• When you have a positive relationship with your caregiver, you are both dedicated to the same thing: the development, safety and happiness of your child. These mutual goals allow you and your provider to be on the same page when it comes to your child. A report by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, for instance, notes that when parents and caregivers maintain a healthy relationship, they work together as a team to help the child, such as using speech therapy for delayed kids or focusing on a child's social health together.

Partnership Satisfaction

• When parents and caregivers are working as a team, both should receive the same level of satisfaction from the relationship. When you're dissatisfied with your child's caregiver or the caregiver dislikes the way you work together, the relationship is no longer as effective or mutually beneficial for both parties. Maintaining a good relationship means you both get what you want out of the relationship and you actually enjoy working together. This can in turn affect your child's care experience, allowing him to flourish in a healthy, safe and loving environment that you both work to encourage and maintain.

Improving Relationships

• If you think that a poor parent-provider relationship is stopping your child from getting the most out of his experience, you can mend a less-than-stellar bond. By getting to know your caregiver on a personal level and respecting her opinions and expertise, you can create a relationship that is mutually beneficial for both. If you attempt to show respect and communicate with your caregiver and she's not receptive, it may be time to look for a new care provider.