Families are the biggest influence on children
‘In an early childhood centre that sees itself as part of a learning community, parent involvement is at the core of children’s learning and of the centre’s life.’We know that families are the most important and immediate influence in children’s lives. The first preschools were set up by a group of mothers who supported one another to set up additional preschools in neighbouring suburbs, focused on ‘…improving and expanding the provision of services not simply for one’s own children but for the children of the whole community’. (Brennan, D. 1999)
High-quality, affordable early learning and care supports families and can be a source of advice and support to parents in their parenting role, while also contributing to positive outcomes for children.
Families become involved in preschools in a variety of ways, including:
- contributing to the preschool program through participation and sharing of skills;
- being members of the management committee;
- fundraising;
- becoming members of a social committee;
- volunteering for working bees.
Families involved in preschools in these ways are valued as collaborators – part of the learning community.