Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations
I'm a passionate advocate of the benefits of parental involvement in education. Children will only get the full benefit from early years education when parents and early years practitioners work together in a genuine spirit of partnership. Both early years educators and parents need to understand and respect the knowledge and expertise of the other in bringing up and educating children.
NCPTA has always promoted the value of parental interest in all stages of their children's educational journey. Children, teachers, and parents all reap real benefits when there are strong home-school links.
Academic research provides scientific proof of the benefits. Charles Desforges' research for the DfES in 2003 provides rigorous evidence that the home learning environment has an enormously positive effect on children's achievement. We believe that parental interest and support at home operates at its best when there is a good partnership between parents and early years practitioners.
A culture that promotes parental involvement and enables parents to provide effective support for their children's learning and development at home will give your nursery or pre-school the X Factor.
The very best nurseries and pre-schools provide advice and guidance for parents on supporting their children's learning at home. Some early years settings hold courses or meetings to explain their role in educating children and show parents how to support learning and development at home, with topics that might include maths, literacy and the importance of learning through play.
Effective partnerships give children in early years settings a head start in education terms and develop a sound foundation for parents' involvement throughout their children's education.
Any early years practitioner who wants the children in their care to achieve their full potential should actively support the involvement of all parents in their children's education.
