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Why is parent support part of childcare provision?

When parents and practitioners work together to support children's development, this has a positive impact on children's long-term well-being and achievement. The vital role of parents and the benefits of working in partnership with parents is reflected in the Government's policy agenda for children, young people and their families.

See more detailed information about relevant policies.

Work with parents in the early years forms part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which came into force in September 2008 and was a central part of the ten year childcare strategy. The EYFS provides the regulatory and quality framework for the provision of learning, development and care for children between birth and the academic year in which they turn five (0-5), as well as resources and information to support service development and implementation.

The EYFS places a specific duty on childcare providers to build relationships with parents. In addition to providing safe, stimulating childcare that promotes early learning and development, childcare settings "must engage, interact and connect with a child and their family".

Childcare as part of a tapestry of joined-up local parent support services

Childcare providers are part of a local network of integrated services to support parents in their role. Local authorities are key in providing the strategic co-ordination and framework to ensure that services work together to meet the needs of local parents. Local authorities have a statutory requirement to develop three year parenting strategies setting out:

• a strategic vision for flexible needs-led parenting information and support;
• existing parent support services and how gaps in local provision will be filled;
• how parents can access information, advice and signposting to services;
• a range of services that will be in place locally to respond to different levels of need, with clear criteria for accessing specialised targeted support for families facing more intensive difficulties;
• arrangements for parent consultation and involvement; and
• inter-agency partnership working.

Read the parenting strategy developed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in more detail.

Think Family

The responsibility placed on childcare providers to engage not just with the child, but also with their family recognises that the needs of children can only be fully met if the needs of parents are also identified and addressed.

Since April 2009 all local authorities have received increased funding to support the introduction of:

• Think Family practice - making sure that the support provided by children's, adults' and family services is coordinated and takes account of how individual problems affect the whole family.
• Targeted support for parents and families - such as Family Intervention Projects and Parenting Early Intervention Programmes - designed to provide evidence-based support to families experiencing problems. Types of support offered could include structured parenting education groups, couple support, home visiting andemployment or training advice.

Finding out what is available

Given the range and complexity of family support services, both parents and providers may find it challenging to keep abreast of what is available.

Family Information Services are run by each local authority provide information for parents and providers about child and family support services via website, telephone, print materials and direct outreach.

Contact details for your local Family Information Service can be found here.

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