For families to feel welcome, you and they need to establish mutual trust. Trust between teachers and families develops over time and is based on many positive and respectful experiences. Some family members may be uneasy in a school environment and unsure of how they will be treated. You can build trust by conveying positive messages to families. To help convey a positive message to families, you can welcome them at all times during the program day, invite them to contribute to the program, and keep them informed on what is happening in the classroom.