Four types of parents and carers: ‘Detached parents and carers prefer practitioners to take full responsibility and to get on with the job. These parents and carers decide to trust in the training, professionalism and skills of the practitioner. Their position is not an indication of a lack of interest, although practitioners may see it in this way.’ ‘Independent parents and carers would like close involvement but lack the confidence to instigate this, or who feel the terms offered by practitioners are not attractive. These parents and carers may provide support for their children’s learning away from the setting. Their support is therefore not visible to practitioners, who may see these parents and carers as uninterested.’ ‘Supportive parents and carers readily engage with the invitations and suggestions of practitioners. There is much overlap here with Sharpe and Green’s (1975) notion of the ‘good parent’ – in short, parents and carers who do what practitioners suggest.’ ‘Irresponsible parents and carers appear to be unsupportive of practitioners or their children’s learning. Indeed, in extreme cases their attitude may appear to be counter-productive to their children’s education.’