Page 5 - LESSION 18.pmd

Involvement of Parents and Community

(e) The National Policy on ECCE (2013) recognises that young children are
best cared for in their family environment.
Notes
18.2 ROLE OF PARENTS AND COMMUNITY IN FUNCTIONING
OF AN ECCE CENTRE (PARTNERSHIP)

A lot has already been discussed about the role and importance of parents in
ECCE programme. Parents need to be involved as partners in their children’s
education. As we discussed, parents know how their children behave at home,
learn at home, bond with their extended family, and other significant people.
The culture, health, behaviour and other issues related to each individual child
are certain points on which parents can give information to teachers. Family
members are a source of information to the preschool teacher. For example, what
are the child’s previous experiences and how is the child doing presently? What
are parent’s observations of ongoing development of their child? When teachers
have knowledge about the needs and background of all her/his children in
preschool, it becomes easier to provide ECCE programme in a more organised
manner.

It is the preschool teachers’ duty to involve the family members as per as
advocates for their children’s development and learning. Parents are very
supportive when they communicate openly and honestly with the school staff
about issues and concerns. Effective partnerships with family and community
are characterised by mutual trust and respect for the each other, their willingness
to collaborate and find solutions to any problems.

18.3 BENEFITS OF PARENTS AND COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT

The involvement of parents and community in the actuaries of the ECCE centre
benefits all i.e., the children, families, community and the ECCE programme.

Children Benefit When:
• Teachers understand and respect the family regardless of family structure,
religious beliefs, languages spoken at home, socio-economic status and
educational level of family members.
• There is a link between home and the ECCE centre/preschool.

• Parents provide appropriate and correct information to teachers, who are
able to tell parents about what and how children are learning, what
progress they have made and what the teachers might do to support their
children for further learning.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 151