As a parent, you are your child’s most important educator and research shows that parents who are actively involved with their child’s learning help their children to achieve more too. Therefore all pre-school staff see themselves as partners with you in providing care and education for your child.

If you’re keen to be involved, there are many ways in which you can help make the setting a welcoming and stimulating place for your child. You can choose to give as much or as little time as you can spare. You can offer occasional support, for example on outings, or commit more time and expertise by helping out with the management of the group by contributing towards the parent-run committee.

Some ideas of ways you can help out include:

• Exchanging knowledge about your child’s needs, activities, interests and progress with the practitioners.
• Helping during sessions at the setting or outings.
• Sharing your own special interests or culture with the children.
• Being part of the management of the setting
• Joining in community activities in which the setting takes part.
• Building friendships with other parents in the setting.