Michael Rosen to launch NCB publication

25 February 2009 

The Parents, Early Years and Learning (PEAL) project, based at NCB, is delighted to welcome broadcaster and children's laureate, Michael Rosen, to launch their new book, Parents as Partners in the Early Years Foundation Stage - Principles into Practice. This prestigious launch will take place at the Thomas Coram Children's Centre in central London on 9th March.

Marking the culmination of the PEAL project, which provides training for practitioners to work in partnership with parents of children from birth to age five, the Parents as Partners book supports delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which requires all early years settings to view parents as partners in learning. Mr Rosen will discuss the important value of parents' participation in their children's learning, with an emphasis on reading.

Parents as Partners, written by Helen Wheeler and Joyce Connor, with additional information provided by Heather Goodwin, provides a valuable framework for practitioners to build parents' confidence as the earliest and most enduring educators of their children.

Helen Wheeler, co-author of the book, said: "The book pulls together key messages and practical examples and learning from PEAL, making it accessible to a wider audience. The publication is timely as it supports the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which requires all early years settings to work in genuine partnership with parents and support learning at home."

Notes to editors

1. PEAL believes that parents are a child's first and most enduring educators and that supporting parents' engagement in their children's learning is an effective way to make a difference to children's lives and outcomes. PEAL training and resource materials are based on the key elements of the PEAL model; authentic relationships, communication and partnership. For more information, visit http://www.peal.org.uk/

2. The book launch will take place on Monday 9 March 2009 from 4.00pm to 6.00pm at Coram Community Campus, 49 Mecklenburgh Square, London, WC1N 2QR.

3. To request a copy of Parents as Partners in the Early Years Foundation Stage - Principles into Practice for review, contact Paula McMahon, NCB Publications, at pmcmahon@ncb.org.uk

4. NCB's mission is to advance the well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives.  As a membership and infrastructure support agency for the children's sector in England and Northern Ireland, NCB provides essential information on policy, research and best practice for our members and the members of our wide range of partnership bodies which operate under our charitable status and are based in our London headquarters. For further information visit http://www.ncb.org.uk/

For further information on this release contact:
Sarah Thorne, Anna Tombs or Aoife Allen, NCB Media Office
Tel: 020 7843 6045/6044 Email: media@ncb.org.uk