In early childhood education pre-school education the children's parents participate in the planning and evaluation. The very definition of parental participation is included in the legislation as well as the documentation of early childhood and pre-school education. In practice, however, each day-care center, pre-school and day-care group has formed their own operational culture and methods in how parental involvement actualizes in practice.

The object of this research is to find out how parental involvement actualizes in Kartanonpuisto day-care center at the moment, and how it can be developed. Theoretical frame of reference is Bronfenbrenner’s theory: The ecology of human development and parental partnership.

The research was conducted in Kartanonpuisto day-care center in the spring of 2016. The research methods were themed interviews aimed at the parents, as well as day-care centre’s educators interviews with written questionnaires. The research findings from the interviews were then compared with the theoretical framework, whilst taking to account the development proposals.