Families are the primary influence in the lives of their children. Families are the center of children's lives. Programs should create an environment which reflects the culture, strengths, and desires of families for their children. It is not possible to accurately generalize about families. Professional caregivers take the time to get to know family members individually and to support them in their goals for their children.
Families have a great deal to offer child care providers.
Traditionally, exchanges between parents and child care professionals have been viewed as a means of informing families about their child. However, in family-centered programs it is recognized that, while professionals bring information to parents about child development and about their experiences with many children, families provide information about the individual child, across time and in a variety of settings. Contemporary families experience multiple demands. Employment, housing, health care, and transportation are some issues facing families, whose possible lack of involvement with the child care program should not be mistaken for lack of concern for their child. It is important to provide a range of options for families to participate in this aspect of their child's life, and to allow families to choose the type and level of participation which suits them.