Enhancing the quality of early childhood education and care: ECEC tutors’ perspectives of family engagement in Spain

Abstract

Access to high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) is important for developmental outcomes and school success. The first years of life are a critical period for learning and the quality of early experiences can have a significant impact later in life. Parenting is one of the primary influences on children’s development and family engagement is crucial in children’s educational success. This study presents a descriptive analysis of ECEC tutors’ perspectives (N = 120) about family engagement across schools in Spain. Data were obtained from the Spanish National Education Council (the Consejo Escolar del Estado) to assess parental school involvement in a total of 63 ECEC centres. Findings suggest that early childhood tutors have a positive perspective of parental involvement and play a key role in supporting active school involvement of parents that enhance the quality of ECEC programmes.