Parent and Community Involvement in Early Childhood Education: An Introduction

This manual, developed under Zambia’s IT’S PLAY project by the Ministry of Education and VVOB with support from the LEGO Foundation, provides guidance for early childhood education (ECE) teachers and school leaders on strengthening parent and community engagement in ECE. It emphasises that active family and community participation is essential to improving young children’s learning outcomes, development and well-being.

Building on the Epstein Model of School, Family, and Community Partnerships, the guide outlines six dimensions of involvement: parenting, communication, volunteering, learning at home, decision-making and collaboration with the community. It includes strategies for training, communication and partnership building to foster supportive home–school relationships and community engagement. The publication serves as a practical toolkit for teachers and administrators to implement parent and community involvement activities within Zambia’s national ECE framework.