The success of certain partnerships points to certain principles that can be applied to a wide variety of initiatives. Successful partnerships have clear goals . Partnerships should define goals at the outset to ensure understanding among partners that will help guide the partnership through obstacles and challenges. Successful partnerships involve families and account for their needs and preferences when developing programs and services .
Families are the ultimate consumers of child care.
For services to be successful, they must address their needs. Successful partnerships are broad-based and include all stakeholders from the beginning . Partnerships are most effective when they are able to draw from a broad range of perspectives, resources and expertise. Partnerships can gain broader public and private support for their efforts through the constituencies each partner represents and supports. Successful partnerships involve powerful champions that make their initiatives visible to the public .