Shot at the European Early Childhood Research Association Conference, EECERA 2010, we report the results of research into the attitudes of two minority groups of parents, British Asian and asylum seeking, to the EYFS. The research reveals how sending home books can be misinterpreted, and that having multi-lingual signs in settings can exclude rather than include children. Parents may be angry when one ethnic minority language is spoken as well as English in settings if it's not their home language. Parents rate the most important outcome of EYFS as obedience, the second as respect. Parents rated the ability to make decisions and independence as the least desirable outcome of EYFS. Parents are adamant that they want to be partners in the education process but challenge traditional western views and the curriculum norms. How do settings find a space to respect these often highly educated mums and dads?

Video Series: EYFS Professional Knowledge
Release Date 2010