Principles for working with children under three and their families

This chapter describes Pen Green Centre for Children and Their Families and the principles. It explains the principles of operation, how the principles underpin work with children under three across the organisation including the education and care provision, as well as the groups for parents to attend with their young children. The chapter discusses the importance of developing reciprocal relationships with parents and share case studies of best practice. Froebel, Montessori and Steiner all believed that when educating young children, we should start with what they can do rather than what they cannot do. Early Years Education and Care at Pen Green encompasses this belief. In the 1980s, the early years settings in the United Kingdom still saw separation between the education and care provision for children. In 1997, the newly elected Labour government strongly encouraged early years settings to involve parents actively in their children's education.