The aim is to explore the involvement of parents in Early Childhood Institutions (ECI) in Australia and Sweden. The relationship to parents is of great importance in ECI and have developed from a view focusing the parents will, a view focusing the will of the staff, to today’s democratic view with mutuality between staff and parents (Kampman, 2004). This trend of parents as equal partners to the staff in the ECI is strong in many countries (De Cavallho, 2002; Markström, 2011). However, earlier studies has found problems in different willingness and competencies among the parents (Gleichman, 2004; Karlsson, 2006). Some studies has shown challenges and contradictions with “The Democratic Parent” in school-situations (Ravn, 2002). A problem can be if the methods used for parental involvement facilitates the equal relationship between parents and staff. With a grounded theory orientation, this study will explore how a democratic relationship to parents in ECI can be facilitated 122by different methods proposed by policies. With a qualitative approach, an analysis is done of policies concerning parents inECI in Australia and Sweden. Four preschool teachers in each country are interviewed for a deeper understanding of the parental relationship. The policy analysis concerns no individuals, which entails no ethical considerations. However, the interviews, as they deals with individuals will fulfil relevant ethical considerations. No findings yet. The possible implications of this study are that both similarities as differences between the two countries in the parental relationship in ECI can bring some new insights to this field.