Parental understanding of their young children's learning is a key theme of the revised EYFS, reflected by the publication of the Parents' Guide to the EYFS. Developed by parents, it asserts the need for parents and professionals to work together.
Cuddles Nursery, a provider in Poole which has been rated outstanding by Ofsted, offers full day care across two sites. It was involved in piloting Poole's 'Flying Start' project. This involved targeted sessions to model play and language development, visits by family outreach workers to provide individual support, complementary home learning packs (based around the three Prime areas of learning in the revised EYFS), and parent workshops.
The pilot focused on those parents who were eligible to take up the offer of a free two-year-old early education place. Importantly, it was recognised from the outset that what prevented parental involvement was often a lack of knowledge rather than a low level of interest. This can often be forgotten and it is crucial to establish this as a starting point as it fosters respect and an enabling approach by all the professionals involved.
It should drive all actions and language used towards a common goal. In addition, there was an emphasis on how lowor no-cost activities are possible, including how parents can spend quality time with their two-year-olds.
Parents have commented that while children need their help to learn, the parents themselves don't always know how to help. They have noticed too how their two-year-olds have settled into the nursery and been happy in the process. Key to the approach has been reinforcing the message that giving children time rather than expensive toys is vital for their development and well-being, and can be done at home for little or no cost at all.
The Flying Start packs contain two parents' booklets; one illustrating child development stages in pictures for the three Prime areas, and the second giving ideas of how to spend quality time with children. They were introduced at three discussion workshops which focused on behaviour, well-being and involvement. The workshops also explored neuro-scientific evidence, the importance of sensory experiences, and the need for two-year-olds to explore their environments.
As a result, the project has proved that the close and mutual partnership between the day nursery, children's centre, parents and practitioners - combined with outreach - can make a real difference.
FURTHER INFORMATION
James Hempsall is director or training and research provider Hempsalls (www.hempsalls.com).
