The book is open but you can't turn the page: parents' perceptions of early childhood service quality

This research examines parents’ perceptions of quality on early childhood services as they support families in the care and education of children. Data were collected from parents of under school-aged children using interviews, questionnaires and focus groups. Data analysis has enabled a determination of: the link between parents’ perceptions of quality and early childhood professionals’ views as expressed in the literature; parents’ satisfaction with services and the evaluation processes used by them; opportunities available to parents to engage with service staff to influence the quality of the services provided; and parents’ knowledge and use of the information services provided by the National Childcare Accreditation Council to assist them in their decision making regarding early childhood services. Results showed that communication between parents and staff is problematic. An accretion model of communication is developed to enhance the quality of early childhood services by promoting shared understanding and values between parents and staff, enabling parents to take part in decision making and minimising perceptions of threat to staff’s professional integrit