ABSTRACT
This chapter defines contemporary families and community, describes effective ways to communicate, collaborate and connect with families and communities, highlights the importance of early childhood leadership in strengthening and maintaining relationships and sustaining genuine partnerships and trust and reflects on the importance of a shared vision, strategic thinking, linking home and educational settings and building social capital in the community. The chapter discusses engaging with families in challenging contexts and assists in leading advocacy and acting on behalf of children, families, communities and the profession while empowering educators and families to take on an advocacy or activist role. In all early childhood settings, supportive and respectful relationships between educators, families and communities are of critical importance. Families are the first educators of their children and have a profound influence over children’s learning and development.
