Strategies for Successful Parental Involvement in Early Years

Loren, Nursery Manager, shares insights on the ways in which to build successful parental involvement in nurseries.

The Importance of Community in Childcare

A common phrase we’ve all heard is that it takes a village to raise a child. Childcare settings are the hub where parents and carers can feel part of an ever-growing village that supports them.

On my first ever visit to Fennies London Lane back in 2022, it was literally a construction site with many workers working hard to create the most beautiful environment. When walking around, I imagined what the nursery would be like in the years to come and one of my most important thoughts was how my team and I are going to promote and embed amazing parent & carer partnerships.

Parents and children both thrive when they feel part of a supportive community. Forming bonds between families creates a network of trust and understanding this is why nurseries should aim to join their local community. Community events and activities can bring families together and facilitate deeper relationships.

These are the ways in which I build successful parental involvement in my nursery and some of my tips for you to take to your setting!

Building Trust and Rapport with Parents

At Fennies London Lane, we aim to build strong relationships between parents and staff through open communication and a welcoming environment.

This starts with our open-door policy - parents are encouraged to drop in at any time to speak with management or their child's key person. Whether they need to discuss a concern, get clarity on policies, or simply feel more connected to their child's day, an open door fosters trust between us and the parent.  

We also have a dedicated parent room which is a quiet room for our parents to settle down and do some work, jump on a virtual meeting, or have a coffee whilst their child settles into nursery life.

Once your environment is open and you have set clear communication channels, you really start to connect with the parents and carers and you become part of their support network.

Two common concerns I often hear from parents are feelings of guilt over childcare and loneliness/uncertainty. These emotions are valid, so we make sure to listen and address them proactively.

We work to educate parents that these feelings are normal and reinforce our role as a supportive partner in their child's development. We hold a responsibility to not only nurture the young minds that will lead the next generation but ultimately to support, guide and care for their parents and carers too.

Integrating Parents Into Nursery Life

Parental involvement is a key part of a child's early learning and development. Integrating parents into the nursery's daily life can be achieved in many different ways!

At Fennies London Lane, we host regular parent workshops to educate our parents on early childhood development and the nursery curriculum allowing parents to fully understand the critical learning taking place and how they can support it at home.

We also encourage our parents to come into the setting and share their skills and passions with the children!

Creating a nursery which is fully inclusive and allows parents and carers to be a significant part of their child’s journey will enhance the children's learning. By embracing diverse ideas, cultures, and visions, we create a magical tapestry that truly reflects the families we engage with every day.

The most impactful partnerships view parents as co-educators in their child's care and learning. An open, transparent, and collaborative approach allows providers to tap into parents' unique insights that they nursery offers.

Local Community Partnerships

At Fennies London Lane, we believe in fostering partnerships with local businesses and community members. This not only provides enriching experiences for the children but also brings together the wider community.

Recently, we invited a local author to London Lane to meet with our parents and the team, bringing the local community together. The book is a guide to parents on choosing the right nursery, and parents were able to speak with and spend time with the author answering questions and adding feedback to create an essential nursery checklist within the back of the book.

Events like this allow us to support local businesses while bringing our own community together.

We have also had a very special visit from a local hairdresser who came to give the children their first haircuts right at the nursery.

Additionally, the D&B Academy of Performing Arts toured the nursery and put on a special performance for the children. Experiences like these expose children to new people and ideas widening their learning.

Staying engaged with our community helps create a nurturing village for our children and being a hub for parents to feel they’re fully supported is an achievement we will continue to be proud of and we will evolve by extending this.

So, these are some of the ways we build successful parent partnerships at Fennies London Lane, but how can you embed these connections at your nursery?

• Create a space where parents/carers can communicate.
• Use platforms to create a knowledge library where you can educate all things Early Years.
• Host a parent forum or have parent champions and create a transparent action plan that is achievable.
• Listen to the parents/carers - “You said we did”.
• Welcome insights of home life into the nursery.
• Host an event for all families.
• Suggestion boxes.
• Parent planning/curriculum ideas and add to the nursery’s daily planning/curriculum.
• Personally take a moment to find out more about your parents/carer’s passions, and jobs and involve the

Lastly, maintaining confidentiality, respect, and open communication will ensure parents feel secure and truly build great transparency and honesty!

We maintain a theory of “You said, we Did” with parents having a platform to offer feedback and suggest improvements. This allows parents to be really involved in creating an amazing education hub, and ultimately have parents’ opinions, ideas and passions coinciding with Fennies day to day nursery life!