The Early Years Foundation Stage is built around four themes: A Unique Child; Positive Relationships; Enabling Environments; Learning and Development. Although partnerships with parents permeate the EYFS, it is within the theme of Positive Relationships that Parents as Partners is one of the commitments. EYFS Principles into Practice card 2.2 states: 'Parents are children's first and most enduring educators. When parents and practitioners work together in early years settings, the results have a positive impact on children's development and learning.'
In putting this commitment into practice, there are three key areas for consideration: communication, respecting diversity and learning together.
Here we focus on communication, particularly listening to parents, because this is the fundamental first step in respecting and getting to know the family and engaging and involving parents in their children's learning. The term 'parents' includes birth parents as well as carers such as other family members, guardians and foster carers.
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