“Parents/carers are children’s first educators and learning at home happens in a natural and informal way. It is essential that there is open communication between school and home which is based on shared understanding and mutual respect.” CCEA: Understanding the Foundation Stage, 2006
In 2007, ‘Building Together in the Foundation Stage’ was launched by the CASS Early Years Team and distributed to all primary schools to assist them in informing/communicating with their parents as the Foundation Stage was introduced as part of the revised NI Curriculum.
The core aims of the resource are:
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To promote the involvement of parents/carers as partners in children’s learning.
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To support schools in:
• The provision of information for parents/carers on the Foundation Stage Curriculum;
• Enriching parent/carers’ understanding of how children learn in the early years;
• Advising parents/carers of ways to support children’s learning at home.
A folder was given to each Primary School in the NEELB area, consisting of seven outline sessions for use with parents. The seven sessions include an introduction, outlining the rationale for the Foundation Stage with an emphasis on how children learn through play and a session on each of the six learning areas of the Foundation Stage Curriculum. Each session contains a powerpoint presentation with facilitator’s notes which can be adapted and personalised for use in each school. There are also workshop ideas and parent/carers’ information leaflets for each session. A CD with copies of all presentations and leaflets were made available in the original folder.
A copy of the introductory presentation, parents’ leaflet and play workshop ideas are included here. 
