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Key policy initiatives
Children's Plan, Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2007
The vital role of parents in early learning to secure good outcomes for children is reflected in the Government's policy agenda for children, young people and their families.
Work with parents in the early years forms part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which came into force in September 2008. The EYFS provides the regulatory and quality framework for the provision of learning, development and care for children between birth and the academic year in which they turn five (0-5), as well as resources and information to support service development and implementation.
2004
Every Child Matters
Recognised the vital role of parents in improving key outcomes for children:
- Be healthy
- Stay safe
- Enjoy and achieve
- Make a positive contribution
- Achieve economic well-being
National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services
- Parents need information, services and support to help them help their children.
- Set standards for children's health and social services and their interface with education.
2006
Social Exclusion Task Force
- Importance of parenting in improving outcomes for children.
- Parenting support demonstration project for 0-2 year olds based on the Nurse-Family Partnership programme developed by Olds.
- Emphasis on targeted early intervention and prevention, combined with intensive tailored action to tackle the problems of families in crisis
Childcare Act
- Information and advice for parents, as well as sufficient childcare.
- A Sure Start Children's Centre in every community
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
2007
Children's Plan
- Prevention to avoid failure
- Commitment that by 2020 every child 'ready for success in school', with at least 90% developing well across all areas of EYFS by age 5.
- Involvement of parents through a partnership approach and parent councils.
Every Parent Matters
- Brings together the ways in which Government is promoting increased parental involvement and confidence, as well as parents' involvement in shaping services for themselves and their children.
- Importance of fathers' involvement in outcomes for children.
- Parent Know-How to provide information for parents about parenting issues and how to support their children's learning.
2008
Early Years Foundation Stage
- Builds on Birth to Three Matters.
- Aims to raise the quality of education and care for children from 0 – 5.
- Parents are children's first and most enduring educators.
- Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of love and secure relationships.
- Parents and practitioners working in partnership have a positive impact on children's development and learning.
Social Exclusion Task Force
- Recognised the impact of complex parent-based family circumstances on outcomes for children.
- Think Family to join up child and adult services and provide focused whole family interventions for families at risk.
A more detailed account can be found in Parenting policy - the last 10 years
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