Working in partnership with parents is of central importance in effectively delivering the EYFS. Parents are 'children's first and most enduring educators' (Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage, QCA 2000), therefore forming partnership with parents and carers is crucial if early years practitioners are to plan effectively for a child's learning and development.
In view of this, a genuine commitment to working co-operatively and in partnership with parents should be the core feature of any high-quality setting and should impact on every aspect of practice.
The Home link book is used to collate photos samples and observations made at home by the parent/carer and the child.
Practitioners/ Key persons can suggest further activities (age appropriate) that will further support the child's learning along with encourage parents and their child to enjoy being together.
This research was commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (now the Department for Education) from the Family and Parenting Institute in partnership with the Campaign for Learning, to help identify what nurseries and other early years settings could do to better support parents to develop their children's learning at home.
The aim of the study was to help identify which strategies were most effective in supporting parents to give their child the best start in early home learning.
Research shows that high quality experiences in the early years, including a good home learning environment, have a significant positive impact on children's social, emotional and cognitive development and, therefore, their progress at school and into adult life.