Programs that are especially effective at engaging families often conduct surveys to gather information from families.

NAEYC-Accredited programs and those in the process of seeking  NAEYC Accreditation already conduct the NAEYC Accreditation Family Survey. The survey results provide critical information about how programs are doing regarding family engagement. These programs could conduct an additional survey to gather even more information.

Why should programs survey families?

Through family surveys programs can:

• promote shared decision making by asking for family input on program-specific practices and policies;
• assess family needs, wants, and  program satisfaction to guide program quality improvements;
• learn about family expectations for their child’s learning, for parent-teacher conferences, and other aspects of the of the program; and
• learn whether families are taking advantage of the opportunities the program provides.

Should the survey use an online or paper format?

If the families enrolled in your program have Internet access, consider using an online software tool (search “online surveys” for some low- or no-cost options); otherwise a paper survey works fine.

What kinds of responses should the survey offer?

Unless the question is open-ended, try offering the following responses: Yes; Yes, but; No; No, but; Don’t know.
For open-ended questions, provide a blank space for responses. 

How many questions should the survey include?

Below are a variety of sample questions adapted from surveys developed by the Engaging Diverse Families project program participants. Use these ideas as a starting point. Tailor the questions to fit your needs and program characteristics. Do not feel you need to include all these questions in a survey—choose the questions that fit with your program and the families you serve. You don’t want to overwhelm families with too many questions ior collect information you cannot use.

Sample Family Survey Questions

Curriculum, School Readiness, and Early Learning

• Does your child find the classroom activities and experiences interesting?
• Do you and your child talk about the activities and experiences at home?
• Does the classroom newsletter give you enough information about the activities, experiences, and learning goals?
• What did you learn about your child at the midyear meeting with the teacher?       
• What else would you like to know about your child’s progress?
• Have the parent-teacher conferences  provided you with useful insights about your child?
• Do the activities support the goals you have for your child’s development and learning?
• Are the daily activities appropriate for your child?
• How has the program helped you enhance your child’s school readiness and strengthen your parenting skills?
• How has the program prepared your child for school?
• How has your child’s teacher  helped you to understand your child’s development?
• Do you read to your child at home every day or night?
• Do you use the program lending library?
• Please share your thoughts about the children’s activities, the classroom environment, and our outdoor play areas.

Communication

• How do you prefer to receive information about your child’s activities and experiences at the program?
• Does the classroom newsletter fill your need for communication about program events and upcoming activities?
• Do you have enough access to the school and teachers by phone, by e-mail, and in person?
• Do you have Internet access?
• Does the school e-mail process work for your family?
• Overall, do teachers and administrative staff address your questions in a thorough and  timely manner?
• Are you informed in a timely manner about any injuries, illness, or changes in your child’s behavior?
• The program communicates with families in a variety of ways. Which of the following modes of communications do you find helpful?
  • Weekly schedule of classroom activities
  • Classroom bulletin board
  • Newsletter
  • Notes or daily handouts
  • Board in the entryway or outside of classroom
  • Family handbook of program policies
  • Parent conferences or meetings
  • Website with weekly lesson plans and menus
  • E-mails
  • Phone conversations
  • Face-to-face conversations
• Have you received adequate information about the following?
  • Your child’s growth, development, and learning
  • The program’s philosophy and goals for the children
  • Daily activities
  • Special events such as field trips, family gatherings, and so on
  • Opportunities for families to be involved
  • Program policies and procedures
  • Other special information as requested
• Was there any information about the program (philosophy, goals, policies, schedules, meals, and such) you thought was missing from the family handbook or enrollment visit? If so, what was missing?
• Have your child’s teachers worked with you to establish and maintain regular, ongoing, two-way communication?
• Do teachers listen to you and have respect for your family’s culture, language, goals, and preferences?
• Do teachers ask you for specific ideas for engaging and motivating your child?
• Have you had sufficient opportunity for conversations with the teaching and administrative staff?
• Has the administration addressed your comments and concerns in a timely fashion?  
• Is the administration accessible to discuss your family’s concerns or questions?
• Share any suggestions you have related to school and parent communication.
• Do you have comments or suggestions about how to improve the effectiveness and/or efficiency of program communications (monthly calendars, schedule changes, physical exam reminders, an so on)?

Relationships

• Did teaching staff help your child feel comfortable and accepted when entering the program?
• Did the staff help you and your child make a smooth transition into the classroom?
• Did your child receive a warm welcome into the program?
• Do staff warmly greet you and your child upon arrival and departure?
• As a parent, do you feel welcome to visit the classroom anytime?
• Do you feel the teachers have a positive attitude toward your child and  family?
• Does the program respect and value your family?
• Do you feel connected to the staff and other families?  
• Do you know the staff and their roles in working with your family?
• When you shared a problem or concern, did you feel staff helped you solve it?
• Do you feel comfortable asking administrators questions about the program?
• Do you enjoy talking to your child’s teacher and assistant teacher?
• Do you find your family worker helpful and easy to talk to?
• Do you feel comfortable talking to your child’s teachers about how your family and the program handle different aspects of childrearing (such as discipline, feeding, toileting, and other child development issues)?  
• When you have a concern about your child’s educational experience, you can ___________.

Facility and Program Environment

• Does the school calendar meet your family’s needs?
• Do the school hours meet your family’s needs?  
• Is your child’s classroom organized and inviting?
• Do staff stress good sanitation practices such as handwashing?
• Are there lots of engaging materials for the children?
• Are outdoor facilities adequate and safe?  
• Are the classrooms clean and orderly?
• Is the classroom inviting, warm, and engaging?
• Does the program provide proper nutrition for your child?
• Are snacks and lunches appropriate, nutritious, and varied?

Support for Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

• Does the program  help your child build skills, confidence, and self-esteem?
• Does the program recognize and meet your child’s unique, individual characteristics, interests, abilities, and needs?
• Does the program help your child feel good about cultural identity and comfortable with other people of diverse backgrounds?
• Does the program support diversity among children, families, and staff in multiple dimensions (race/ethnicity, home language, socioeconomic status, family structure, special needs)?
• Does the program aim to increase funding for scholarships in order to maintain/increase diversity?
• Do you feel that your time and efforts spent for annual fundraising to maintain economic diversity are worthwhile?

Parent Involvement

• The program values parent involvement and offers several ways that families can participate and contribute to their child’s experiences. If you have participated in these activities, please let us know how they were of value:
  • Parent orientation
  • Observing classroom activities
  • Helping with classroom events
  • Family social events
  • Parent-teacher conferences
  • Advisory Committee meetings
  • Field trips
• If you found it difficult to attend any of the above parent activities, is there anything we could do to make it easier for you to attend?  
• Are there other ways you would like to be involved in your child’s program?
• Do you have a special skill or hobby that you can share with the class?
• Are you satisfied with opportunities for family involvement (events, education opportunities, resources)?
• Do teachers encourage you to be actively involved in your child’s learning?
• Have you been invited to participate in classroom activities?

General Satisfaction

• Overall, are you satisfied with the quality of the program for your child and your family?
• Are you satisfied with the care and nurturing your child receives?
• Are you satisfied with the education, activities, and foundation being laid for your child’s later education?
• How has your child benefited from his/her experience at this program?
• What would you like improved and/or added to our program?
  • In the classroom:
  • Interaction with other families socially:
• Please tell us three things you like and three things you would like to see improved: ______________.
• If you recommend the program to other parents, what do you tell them about the program?
• Describe anything you don’t like about the program. How can the program do a better job of meeting the needs of children and their families?  
• Please fill in the blanks or finish these statements:
  • The program has helped my child most by: ______________.  
  • The program could better meet my child’s needs and my family’s needs by ______________.
  • I would also like you to know that ______________.
  • What aspects of the  program have been most beneficial to your child (e.g., activities, social interactions, materials, and so on)? Please be specific: ______________.
  • On a scale of 1–10,  please rate your overall satisfaction with the program’s care and education.  ______________.
• Please share any other comments.

Developed for NAEYC's Engaging Diverse Families Project through a generous grant from the Picower Foundation.
© National Association for the Education of Young Children.