Learning goals

This chapter will enable you to:

1. Recognise the potential of early childhood practitioners in health and education settings to engage parents of vulnerable children in ways that will enhance their ability to nurture and protect their children

2. Understand contemporary developments in policy and practice in relation to family-centred early childhood services

3. Learn about some innovative exemplars of Australian family-centred initiatives in early childhood settings and consider what might be applicable to other settings

4. Be sensitive to the needs of children and parents from culturally diverse backgrounds

5. Think about how different professions and services can work together for and with vulnerable families and their children

6. Reflect on the professional and personal challenges that may be faced when responding to the needs of vulnerable children and their families.

Introduction

We are in an exciting era of innovation in early childhood services. With the (re) discovery of the importance of the ‘early years’, new ideas about how early childhood services can be delivered, regardless of whether they are traditionally seen as ‘health’, ‘education’ or ‘social welfare’ services, are blossoming. Strengths-based ways of working with families are influencing how practitioners are reaching out to parents and enhancing their ability to nurture and protect their children (see Chapter 2 for more on family strengths approaches). Policies, programs and face-to-face practice are all in the process of transformation.