Supporting Family Involvement and Community Engagement in an Early Years Setting
We are all aware of the importance of family involvement in Early Years and School Age Settings. Here we will signpost helpful ways for services to encourage that relationship with families and build broader community engagement.
By working together with families and communities, we create settings where every child feels secure, respected, and connected
The ‘Building Partnerships and Connections’ pillar of the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide gives some useful ideas and resources on ways to encourage family involvement within your setting:
– Communicate openly – share updates in different ways – face-to-face chats, phone calls, newsletters, social media or apps.
– Make the Curriculum accessible – share accessible information on the curriculum approach in place and provide updates on an ongoing basis
– Invite participation – welcome parents into activities, celebrations, and decision-making.
– Reflect regularly – use feedback and self-evaluation tools to strengthen practice.
– Celebrate diversity – represent all families’ languages, cultures, and traditions.
Building Community Connections
When it comes to a service engaging with the local community, keeping it simple can be more effective:
– Explore the local area with children – visits to the library, park, or local businesses.
– Engage with local clubs, community groups cultural amenities and incorporate into curriculum plan
– Invite community members to share their skills or experiences in the setting by facilitating story time, taking part in circle time, leading an activity etc.
– Celebrate community events together to build a sense of belonging.
– Create a photo wall of familiar locations/businesses with the children and develop throughout the year.
– Establish networks and connections within the sector to keep informed of policy developments, initiatives etc. Engage with local CCC and other national organisations to keep up to date.
By strengthening family involvement and community links,
Early Years settings become places where children feel
secure, respected, and connected.
The Aistear Síolta Practice Guide is full of ideas, tools, and reflections to support educators on this journey—helping us all to nurture meaningful partnerships that benefit children, families, and communities alike.
Kilkenny County Childcare Committee offer training on the Updated Aistear Curriculum Framework as well as the Síolta Quality standards, both of which offer guidance on family and community engagement.
If you wish to receive information on our next round of trainings, please contact Kilkenny County Childcare Committee on:
056 -7752865 or [email protected]
Further information and resources
Community Involvement: A Guide for Early Years Educators
Self Evaluation Tool- Building Partnerships
Aistear Blog 13- Partnerships with Families
Parental Involvement: A handbook for childcare providers
Building Partnerships and Connections with Families: Overview
