1.2 Explain how a community-based early years setting can be an agent of community development

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Explain how a community-based early years setting can be an agent of community development.

A community-based early years setting is more than just a place for young children to learn and play. It can become a central part of the local area that supports family life, builds connections, and strengthens the community. These settings include nurseries, preschools, children’s centres, and playgroups that are run with the needs of the local population in mind.

When a setting works with the wider community, it can help improve outcomes for children, support parents and carers, and encourage people to work together. This has long‑term benefits for children as they grow, helping them feel safe, valued, and supported.

Meeting Local Needs

A community-based setting can design its services to reflect the specific needs of families in the area. Staff can talk with parents, community leaders, and local agencies to find out what support is most needed. This can guide decisions on opening hours, types of sessions offered, and any extra support provided.

For example, in an area with many working parents, extended hours may be offered. In a community with families from different cultural backgrounds, resources and activities may be adapted to reflect those cultures and languages.

Key points include:

• Listening to local families’ concerns
• Using feedback to shape activities and services
• Being flexible with delivery methods

This approach shows that the setting values and responds to the community.

Building Relationships

Trust between the setting and local families is important. When parents feel respected and welcome, they are more likely to engage. Staff can nurture these relationships by being approachable, reliable, and respectful of all cultures and backgrounds.

Ways to build positive relationships include:

• Greeting every family warmly
• Involving parents in decision-making
• Providing regular updates on children’s progress
• Offering open days and community events

Good relationships help parents feel confident that their children are cared for and learning in a safe place.

Encouraging Parental Involvement

Parents and carers are a child’s first educators. A community-based early years setting can provide opportunities for them to share their knowledge, skills, and experiences. This strengthens the child’s development and builds community bonds.

Examples include:

• Inviting parents to lead activities based on their skills
• Running workshops on child development, nutrition, and play
• Setting up parent support groups

This involvement benefits both children and parents, as they feel part of the learning process.

Supporting Social Inclusion

A community-based early years setting can help bring together people from different backgrounds. Through mixed playgroups, inclusive events, and culturally sensitive practices, the setting can break down barriers between groups that may otherwise remain separate. This helps children learn acceptance and respect from an early age.

Actions that support inclusion:

• Providing resources in different languages
• Celebrating cultural events from various traditions
• Ensuring activities are accessible for children with additional needs

This fosters a sense of belonging for all families.

Providing Access to Services

Many families find it difficult to access the right services. A well-connected early years setting can act as a local hub. Staff can signpost families to health visitors, speech therapists, benefits advice, and mental health support.

This might involve:

• Holding drop-in sessions with visiting professionals
• Displaying clear information about local services
• Helping families make appointments or fill in forms

Easy access to services reduces stress for families and helps them get the support they need in time.

Promoting Health and Wellbeing

Community-based early years settings can encourage healthy lifestyles. They can introduce children to nutritious food, active play, and habits that support both mental and physical health. Parents benefit by receiving advice, guidance, and practical tips they can use at home.

Examples of health promotion in settings:

• Healthy snack policies
• Cooking classes for parents and children
• Outdoor play and exercise routines
• Mindfulness activities for children

When healthy practices start early, children are more likely to keep them as they grow.

Encouraging Volunteering and Skills Development

Local people often have skills and talents they can share. A community-based setting can offer volunteering opportunities, training courses, or work placements. This both supports the setting and helps people gain confidence and experience.

Ways to involve volunteers:

• Helping with reading activities
• Supporting outdoor play sessions
• Assisting with fundraising events
• Offering translation support for families

This can lead to increased employment skills and more community involvement.

Acting as a Safe Space

Early years settings often become safe spaces for both children and parents. They can offer a place where families feel comfortable to share concerns without fear of judgment. Staff can listen, provide advice, and help connect families to support networks.

A safe space might also be important in situations where:

• Families are experiencing domestic abuse
• Parents are isolated or new to the area
• Children need a break from challenging home environments

This sense of safety can lead to stronger community trust.

Strengthening Community Identity

When a setting reflects the culture, values, and strengths of its area, it strengthens community identity. Local traditions, language, and stories can be woven into learning activities. This keeps cultural heritage alive while welcoming new influences from other groups.

Possible activities:

• Local history projects
• Storytelling sessions with community elders
• Cultural festivals hosted by the setting

By honouring all cultures, the setting promotes pride and unity.

Encouraging Economic Development

Community-based early years settings can help families access work by providing affordable childcare. They can also free up parents’ time to attend training or apply for jobs. Staff training and local recruitment can stimulate the local economy.

Economic benefits include:

• Parents able to continue education or develop careers
• Employment for local people in the setting
• Support for local suppliers and businesses

These factors all contribute to community growth and stability.

Working in Partnership

A successful community-based setting often works closely with local schools, health services, charities, and local authority teams. This partnership working means a joined-up approach to supporting children and families.

Partnership activities could include:

• Joint events with local primary schools
• Shared training with health professionals
• Co-ordinated support plans for children with special educational needs

This co-operation ensures consistent help for families.

Adapting to Local Changes

Communities change over time. A flexible setting will monitor these changes and adapt its practices. This could include responding to population growth, changes in cultural makeup, or shifts in local employment.

For example, if many new families move into the area from another country, the setting might employ bilingual staff and update resources to reflect the new community profile.

Reducing Isolation

Some parents, especially new parents or those without family nearby, feel isolated. Regular contact with the early years setting and other parents can reduce this. Social bonds formed at drop-offs, pick-ups, and organised sessions often grow into supportive friendships.

Ways settings can help reduce isolation:

• Parent coffee mornings
• Peer support groups
• Parent-and-child outings

This helps families feel connected and supported.

Promoting Lifelong Learning

When families see that education and community involvement are valued, they are more likely to pass these values on to their children. Settings can foster a love for learning that extends beyond early childhood.

For example, by running adult education courses in the same building, the setting can encourage parents to improve their own skills alongside their children’s development. This creates a culture where learning is part of everyday life.

Leading on Community Events

Hosting local events is another way a setting can strengthen connections. Fairs, open days, and seasonal celebrations bring people together. These events can celebrate achievements, raise funds, and build pride in the community.

Benefits of local events:

• Celebrating children’s achievements
• Giving parents and carers a chance to meet socially
• Linking local businesses and organisations with families

Events can be small and informal or larger community-wide celebrations.

Encouraging Environmental Responsibility

Many settings include activities that teach children about caring for their environment. Recycling projects, community gardening, and nature walks can all promote care for the local area. These activities often involve families, spreading awareness and responsibility through the community.

Practical ideas include:

• Creating a community garden
• Organising litter collection days with families
• Teaching children about wildlife and sustainability

Environmental projects improve the local area and encourage pride in shared spaces.

Supporting Community Resilience

By providing consistent childcare and family support during difficult times, early years settings help communities remain strong. Whether facing economic hardship, health crises, or local emergencies, a setting that stays open and active can offer stability.

Resilience is supported through:

• Clear communication with families
• Practical help such as food parcels or access to advice
• Providing a place for information sharing and mutual support

A stable setting acts as an anchor during uncertain times.

Final Thoughts

A community-based early years setting can have a powerful influence far beyond the walls of the building. By providing care, learning, and support, it contributes to the social, cultural, and economic wellbeing of its local area.

When a setting listens to its community, builds strong relationships, and works in partnership with other services, it creates lasting benefits. Families feel valued, children thrive, and the whole community becomes stronger.

The most effective community-based early years settings see themselves as part of the community fabric. Their role goes beyond education to include connection, empowerment, and shared growth. In this way, they are key agents of community development.