In this paper we add to the debates about early childhood provision of services by paying special attention to the role of parents in their child's development and explore links between family resources and literature on early childhood experiences. A UNICEF inspired 'base-line' study of 3,517 rural families with at least one child under six provides empirical data for the research.  Such information could assist policy makers in how best to allocate resources between formal early childhood services and parent support initiatives.