Building one-to-one relationships with diverse stakeholders may be the most important tactic. Getting outside of your building and meeting with parents and providers is one important way to ensure you’re considering a wide range of perspectives. Help people see why their participation is important by showing how their work impacts—and is impacted by—the collaboration.
Collecting data through surveys, focus groups, or other interview techniques can also help inform the early childhood collaboration.
Make sure to work on reducing participation barriers by providing flexible scheduling, child care, transportation, etc., so that all voices can be heard. You can also periodically survey community members to determine whether meeting times and locations are convenient.