Parental involvement in Brazilian early childhood centers and schools have been overlooked in both psychology and education literature. However, internationally, the topic has been greatly investigated and the literature has helped schools and researchers to develop projects both to help parental involvement practices as well as research. This study and instruments were mainly based on the overlapping spheres (Epstein, 1987) and Hornby's (1990) pyramids model, and Epstein's typology respectively. Epstein's work has been based on Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory. The objective of the study was to identify meaningful aspects of the relationship between the childcare center and parents (difficulties and expectations); communication; and parent involvement strategies within the parents and classroom staff perspective. The study uses qualitative data from interviews with 33 parents, 7 teachers and 8 childcare workers in a voluntary childcare centre. Results, after data categorization, indicated that the existing communication strategies between childcare centre and parents prevent them from exchanging information and have close relationship. Teachers and childcare workers' attitude to parents tended to be distant and oriented to child care only; parents' attitude to childcare centre tended to be passive to what may be offered to both the child and family. Lack of knowledge about parent involvement and partnership possibilities from both parties was also found.
childcare centre; parent involvement; communication; partnership; care
