Current discourse in educare acknowledges the partnership between parents and practitioners. But is the partnership a reality, and exactly what does the term mean to those who use it? The increased interest in the relationship between home and school is one of the most positive educational developments of the past decade. Today, at all levels of education, there is overwhelming agreement that parents have a valuable role to play in the education of their children. Parental involvement is promoted at government level and the prevalent culture of rights encourages parents to exercise their rights in the field of education. Early years educators have long recognised the importance of strong home-school links, since the pre-school setting forms a "bridge" for both child and family to cross between home and school. The high level of attendance at nursery school parents' meetings in Northern Ireland bears this out; but involvement in special occasions does not necessarily constitute partnership. Do parents and providers speak the same language with regard to communication, partnership and involvement? (Contains 5 tables and 1 figure.)