Partnerships: Why They Matter More Than Ever

Many people assume I have children. Sometimes they ask me directly—often with kindness, sometimes with a certain expectation. The truth is, I don’t. For reasons that are personal to me. It’s a question that can sometimes feel loaded, as if the answer might somehow validate or diminish my life's work. This question can be a deeply personal one, and I’ll admit that at times, when my answer doesn’t match what people expect, I feel a little judged.

What I do want you to know is this: I love children. I’m passionate about their joy, learning, and development. So much so that I’ve built my career around understanding child development—observing, studying, and, most importantly, working alongside families.

I’ll never claim to be the expert in your child, but I do believe wholeheartedly in partnership—that families and practitioners working together is the best way to support every child. That belief runs so deep that it became the focus of my MA thesis many years ago.

Today, I want to share some of my core beliefs with you—because I’m inviting my trusted followers and supporters to help shape our first Parent Advisory Board for my Community Interest Company.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

When the Princess of Wales launched the Shaping Us campaign, she reminded us that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial, and that parents and carers play the biggest role in helping children thrive.

That’s a message I believe in with all my heart. But here’s the reality: post-pandemic, building and maintaining these partnerships is harder than ever. Funding cuts. Staff shortages. Fewer childcare places. Limited access to health visitors and early support. Too many families are falling through the cracks—and in some cases, becoming invisible.

The Power of YOU

What research consistently shows is that the most significant factor in a child's success is the support and interest they receive at home. The Home Learning Environment (HLE) is foundational for a child's development, especially in the crucial early years.

This is where the idea of partnership finds its true meaning. It’s not about practitioners directing from the "expert" corner. It's about a shared understanding that both the parent and the practitioner have vital roles and areas of expertise. My goal is to send a clear message to every parent: your input is valued throughout your child's entire journey with us

Partnership isn’t about ticking an Ofsted box or fulfilling a government target. It’s about shared responsibility for the same goal: helping children to thrive.

For me, that means:

• Valuing parents as the first educators in their child’s life.

• Recognising your expertise about your own child alongside my professional knowledge.

• Building an open, respectful dialogue so that home and setting-based learning complement each other.

The research is clear: what happens in the home learning environment has the most lasting impact on a child’s development. My role is not to take over, but to walk alongside parents—equipping, encouraging, and celebrating them.

Asking the Hard Questions

Are we truly partnering with parents—or just going through the motions? Are we adapting our approach to fit the realities families face right now? Are we listening as much as we’re advising?

These are the questions I’ve been asking myself. And my answer is to open up more spaces for genuine collaboration—which is why forming our first Parent Advisory Board matters so much.

An Invitation to You

If you believe in the power of partnership…

If you want to have a say in how we work with and support families…

If you care about creating spaces where every child and every family is valued…

…then I’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can make sure families aren’t just supported—they’re empowered.