Practitioners who display warmth, openness, sensitivity, flexibility, reliability and accessibility to parents have a positive impact on family-practitioner partnerships (Keyes 2002). Seemingly minor gestures, such as being prepared to listen attentively, showing genuine interest in a situation and being prepared to respond to a particular need, can have the significant benefits in building relationships (CwDC, 2011). When asked, parents identify a number of factors that promote positive partnerships. These include being able to access practi tioners to discuss concerns, receiving feedback on their child's performance (a requirement of the foundation stage curriculum), a positive attitude towards them as parents, and willingness to deal with questions, concerns or complaints