The quality of parenting and care a child receives determines, to a great extent, their chances in life. What parents do with their children, whether they read with them, talk to them and play with them, has a greater influence on their subsequent intellectual and social development than their parents' occupation, education or income.
But while parents from all social and educational backgrounds can and do provide excellent care, the evidence also suggests that 'children from poorer backgrounds are much less likely to experience a rich home learning environment than children from better-off backgrounds'.
This is one of the key factors perpetuating social inequality. If our work in early years settings is to increase social mobility and give every child a fair chance, we have to make sure we are building positive relationships with parents, involving them in the work we do, listening to their concerns, and sharing expertise and learning with them. Clearly, parents need to understand and value the work that practitioners are doing. This is why we are publishing a parent's guide to the Early Years Foundation Stage.
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