1. Unit 5: Working with Parents and Others in Early Years
Teacher notes (PS 1):
It is imperative that early years workers learn to work with parents, colleagues and other professionals, which is why a whole unit has been dedicated to this subject. By the time learners have completed Unit 5, they should have a good understanding of the importance of collaborative working and the positive effect it can have on outcomes for children.
In this unit, they will learn about the role of parents in children’s lives and factors that affect parenting styles. They will also learn about parents’ rights and different views about childhood. This is important as they will need to appreciate that there are different ways of raising children. They will also learn about the role of other professionals in children’s lives. In this unit they will explore ways of working with parents, colleagues and other professionals and how to communicate effectively to develop positive working relationships with them.

2. Objectives By the end of the lesson you should be able to:
Define and explain the difference rights and responsibilities.
List different laws and legislation that give parents’ rights.
Produce a poster/factsheet/leaflet that examines one particular Act.
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3. Rights and Responsibilities
What is the difference between a Right and a Responsibility?
Right : A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something
Responsibilities: The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or someone
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4. Activity
In groups, discuss these statements. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Parents should have the right to take children out of school for holidays.
Doctors can override parental rights to refuse treatment where it is in the best interest of the child.
Parents can have the children baptised into a religion when they are a baby.
Parents can have their children’s ears pierced
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5. Rights and Responsibilities
In groups, make a list of:
What rights you think a parent has
and
What responsibilities you think a parent has
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6. What do we know about these Acts in relation to giving parents rights and responsibilities?
Children Act 1989, 2004
Adoption and Children Act 2002
Education Act 1996, 2002
Children and Families Act 2014
CA: name of child, child’s religion, child’s education, child’s medical treatment, where and with whom child should live, money and property belonging to the child.
2004: expectation to keep child healthy and safe, ensure they receive education from 5 – 18 (now).
ACA: Special Guardianship
CFA: Covers adoption, contact with family, etc. - pac.org.uk/wp-content/.../04/Children-Families-Act-2014-breifing.pdf
EA: Covers schools, rights within.
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7. Activity: Posters / Fact Sheets / Leaflets
Using your research and information from others in the class, create a word processed and informative Poster / Factsheet / Leaflet.
Your Poster / Factsheet / Leaflet should be aimed at giving parents information about their rights and responsibilities in accordance to the Acts.
Children Act 1989, 2004
Adoption and Children Act 2002
Education Act 1996, 2004
Children and Families Act 2014
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