In early childhood, the values that we encourage are not just taught – they are lived. From the way we comfort a crying child to how we talk about sharing and kindness, our everyday interactions shape the moral and emotional landscape of a child’s world. 

In early years settings, practitioners are required to promote the Fundamental British Values (FBVs), but this shouldn’t be seen as a policy box to tick. Instead, it’s about building a culture of mutual respect, empathy and fairness, one that children can absorb, model and grow within. But we don’t do this work alone. Parents and carers are our partners in building this strong foundation and we need to acknowledge this and build on it. When early years settings and families work together to support shared values, the result is a consistent, emotionally safe environment in which children can thrive. 

Why shared values matter 

Children are like emotional sponges. They absorb not only what we say, but they observe how we act, how we treat others, and how we respond to their needs. When those around them, both at home and in our settings model similar values, children develop a clear internal framework for how to behave, relate, and make sense of the world. 

It’s important to understand that shared values doesn’t necessarily mean identical beliefs. It means a common commitment to nurturing things like kindness, cooperation, fairness and respect which are the very essence of the EYFS ethos and British values. Aligning to these values also supports strong attachments, better emotional regulation, and a sense of belonging. It can help reduce confusion or anxiety that can arise if the messages at home and at the setting feel conflicting. 

Communicating core values to families 

The key here is to make the values you operate by visible, understandable, and part of everyone’s daily life.  Many families will not be familiar with terms from the British values like “individual liberty” or “rule of law”, so it's important to translate these into more parent-friendly language. Instead of referring to British values in abstract terms, or using the words in a jargonistic way, think about alternatives you might talk about instead, such as: 

• Encouraging children to make choices and express themselves 
• Teaching fairness and taking turns 
• Celebrating differences and learning about other people’s lives and beliefs 
• Helping children understand right from wrong 

You might also share specific examples of how these values appear in your setting. For example: 

• “We help children learn about fairness by playing games that involve turn-taking” 
• “We teach respect by listening carefully to each other and talking about our feelings 

Displaying your setting’s core values in the entrance or on your website, and including them in welcome packs or newsletters, can help make these ideas fundamental to your ethos and wider culture. 

Engaging parents in conversations

Parents and carers bring their own values, cultures and priorities – and these are incredibly important and should be respected as part of the British values you are encouraging. By proactively opening up conversations and listening actively, you can create a respectful space where all values can be explored and shared. 

This can be as simple as asking questions during key person meetings or settling-in sessions, such as: 

• “What’s really important to you when it comes to your child’s relationships or behaviour?” 
• “Are there any values or traditions from home that you’d like us to reflect here?” 

Do not assume that all families will have the same or even similar values as your setting and there will always be differences in the importance different people put on different values. Creating a shared values charter, co-designed with parents, can be a powerful visual tool for celebrating your community’s diversity while finding common  ground. Even informal chats at drop-off or collection time can be opportunities to gently explore shared values – especially when discussing behaviour, celebrations or emotional development. 

Practical ways to involve families and to encourage shared values

Supporting values at home doesn’t need to be complicated. You could for example 

• Recommend books that support empathy, fairness, and respect (e.g. “Ruby’s Worry” by Tom Percival, and “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold.) 
• Send home kindness jars, helping hand charts, or "family values" ideas for conversations at dinner time 
• Invite families to share traditions, recipes, or songs from their culture in meaningful, child-friendly ways – try to understand the beliefs behind the food and songs so there is more understanding created 
• Create a “My Family, My Values” display with pictures and parent/carer quotes about what they care about most 
• Host short parent/carer workshop sessions on topics like raising respectful Children, or helping children handle big emotions 
• Include information about values in your newsletters and parent/carer information 
• Consider having a “Value of the month/week” to learn about and encourage 

What to do if values seem to clash 

Occasionally, your setting may encounter situations where a family’s cultural or religious values appear to conflict with aspects of the curriculum or with the British values you are promoting. This could be things such as gender roles, participation in festivals, or discussions around diversity or life expectations. It’s important to be non-judgemental and handle these moments with sensitivity and professionalism. The aim is not to impose a particular set of beliefs, but to safeguard children’s rights to be included, respected, and treated equally. 

If situations like this crop up, use them as opportunities for dialogue, rather than getting into a debate and ‘right and wrong’. Share your rationale (for example, that you aim to prepare children for life in a diverse, modern British society, or that you're teaching kindness and fairness, not promoting a specific lifestyle). If needed, refer to your Equality and Diversity Policy and the EYFS requirements, and always seek support from your Local Authority or SEND team if the issue involves safeguarding matters.  

Building shared values with families isn’t about creating uniformity – it’s about creating a united approach. When early years practitioners and parents/carers come together around the issues that really matter – kindness, respect, fairness, safety, love – children feel the strength of that partnership, and working hand-in-hand with families gives them the best possible start.