As both a researcher and a parent raising children in South Carolina, I am reminded every day that child care is built on relationships. Policies, curricula and schedules matter, but what makes families feel safe is people. And the relationships that matter most are the ones between parents and the child care professionals who care for their children.
In recent focus groups and surveys, we invited South Carolina parents and child care providers to talk openly about their communication with each other. What is working, what is hard and what they wish could be better. Their words say more than any graph or statistic ever could.
These are voices from real South Carolinians, and together they tell a story about partnership, trust and a shared commitment to children.
Communication is What Builds Trust.
Again and again, parents told us that communication is at the heart of whether they feel safe leaving their child in someone else’s care.
One parent put it simply:
“It’s very important for me to have open communication with the daycare for me to feel comfortable with my child going there. Not having open communication would make me feel like it’s not a safe place for my child to be.”
Another parent described how even quick updates during the day made a real emotional difference:
“Any time I see a message or update on my child, it makes me feel more connected with her throughout the day and brings a sense of trust between me and her providers.”
Those small notes, photos, waves hello at drop-off, and two-minute chats at pick-up do more than exchange information. They build the kind of trust that helps families and children thrive.
Strong Communication Helps Everyone Feel Supported.
Parents spoke with deep appreciation when communication with their provider felt collaborative and genuine:
“Finding a childcare provider that effectively communicates and collaborates is hard to find. I’m grateful that I’ve built a strong relationship with my child’s provider. The stronger the communication, the better experience.”
Providers share that same sense of partnership and responsibility for children’s growth. As one provider expressed in our research:
“Communication and collaboration are key when providing care for this age group. It is vital to have regular and clear lines of communication as children grow and change so much so quickly.”
When parents and providers talk with one another, not just to one another, everyone feels more confident and connected.
Parents Want to Be Active Partners in Their Child’s Development.
A powerful theme in parents’ comments was this: they do not just want information. They want partnership.
Several parents talked about wanting to understand more about how their child behaves and learns in care:
“I would enjoy more understanding of how my children behave in their school or preschool environment. I would also love to visit in person with my children in their classes to witness any behavior that may be concerning to their providers.”
Others shared that they welcome guidance they can use at home to support growth:
“I would be very open to things we could do at home to help our child develop and advance.”
As a parent myself, this resonates. We want to do right by our kids, and it helps to know that their child care providers see us as teammates.
Trust Makes Difficult Conversations Possible.
Parents also discussed moments when they needed to raise concerns or talk through sensitive topics. Many described planning ahead, asking for time, or choosing the right setting to make those conversations constructive.
In fact, more than half of the parents in our research reported needing to discuss a sensitive topic with their child’s provider, and most said they felt confident doing so. Scheduling a dedicated time to talk and preparing in advance were the most common strategies.
This reflects something we heard over and over again: when relationships are strong, even hard conversations can feel supportive rather than stressful.
A Shared Message From South Carolina: We are Already on the Same Team.
Across all of these voices, what stands out most is not conflict. It is commitment.
Parents want to be engaged partners. Providers want the tools, time, and support to communicate well. Both groups value the relationship. Both groups put children first.
That is the heart of this work in South Carolina.
When parents and child care providers strengthen their partnership, children benefit. Families feel supported. Communities grow stronger.
And as both a researcher and a parent, I believe this deeply: every conversation, whether it is a quick hello or a brave, difficult talk, brings us closer to the future we want for our children.
