observation assignment.docx

Introduction: A positive environment is important as it enables children to be explorers and true leaders of their own learning. A positive environment helps to improve attention, reduce anxiety, and supports emotional and behavioural regulation of children. The physical environment, both indoors and outdoors will support children’s learning, safety, levels of engagement and assess to positive experiences and inclusive relationships. During the period of observation, I considered the physical layout of the indoor and outdoor environment of the centre (New Life Childcare Center) as well as toys, materials, furnishing and equipment. A comparison will be made using the criteria laid out in the Prescott Article (class discussion).

Sufficient empty space Definition: Sufficient empty space basically means that there is enough empty space to play in for the number of children expected to play in the centre. Why this is important in a childcare space? This is important because it encourage sensory development, hinder a child learning, encourage open-ended play and prescribed activities. Examples: Yes, this area did have: 1. There is a good space for 3-4 children to play in an area like a climbing area. 2. Good sitting area. 3. All the equipment is safe in the playground. 4. There is a good and proper fence around the playground. No, this area did not have:  There is no nap area, educators move the tables and chairs and put the mattresses over there. Recommended changes: according to the Prescott Article everything in this childcare for “Sufficient Empty Space”. There is no need to change. Evaluation: I observed that there is ample of space available for children to perform various activities. There are enough tools and toys for children to play and learn. It also has good capacity in the classroom for children for exploration. The art area is well maintained because the age-appropriate furniture and storage for art materials are placed near the art area, so the children can easily access the material. There are multiple educators who offer different activities to children. Learning materials encourage multiple areas of intelligence, such as reading, math, music, art, and more.

Recommended changes: If I considered according to the Prescott Article, everything is good in the childcare for ‘’Sufficient Empty Space”. There is no need to change anything. Clear Broad Visible Pathways Definition: clear broad visible pathways is another key area focused on in the article. There are pathways that lead from one area of the center to another, from one learning centre to another. The focus is on how easily children can easily see the pathway to get from one area to the next, and how easily they can move on that pathway. (Article pg. no. 5) Why this is important in childcare center: It allows children to move from one place to another safely and easily. Allowing them to engage in play units that they see quickly, well organised space and open pathways allow children to determine on the pathway. (Article pg.no. 5) It also allows them to make their own decisions and not have to be guided by the educators. Examples of did have: all the pathways are visible and clear and easily accessible to children. It makes the transition easy for children from one learning center to another. Clear pathways attract the children to jump over from one area to another for e.g., dramatic area is adjacent to music and movement area and having a clear pathway attract the children easily, and both the area enhance the children’s social, emotional, and language development skills. Examples do not have: the center does not have separate nap room for pre-schoolers. Recommended changes: I recommended no changes there will be clearly visible and wide pathways for children. Ease of supervision: it means the ease with which the whole centre can be supervised or viewed from any given vantage point in the center and there is no blank spot in the center. Active supervision is successful when caregivers know each child’s abilities. Establish clear and simple safety rules. Aware of potential safety hazards.

Why this is important in a childcare center: It is important in the center to have physical space because it will protect the health and safety of children and staff and support a high quality of learning. There should be no big storage unit or wall between the children and teacher’s eyes. So, there will be no accidents occurring with children. Examples of did have:  The center has good ease of supervision because the center is organised and designed well.  It is very safe place for children because there is no blind spot in the center.  All the stuff is maintained with good ease that is easy for children to reach also for teachers to supervise the children while they are doing any activity. Examples of did not have:  Educators are not able to focus on all the children if the supportive teacher for special need child/children are not coming. Outdoor Examples of they have:  Educators are aware of children where they are and how they are using equipment.  Educators scan and check the environment for hazards such as playing with equipment in unsafe position or children trying to enter out off bound areas.  Educators develop a system of regular read counts to mark arrivals and departures. Examples of do not have:  At the corner of the outside play area is not visible clearly for one educator. If the 2 educators are there, then there is no problem. Overall evaluation: During nap time, educators use dividers that are too high, and they are not able to see all the children from one corner of centre. To avoid these problems, center should not have many high dividers separating rooms, which are not rated highly for their ease of supervision as staff are unable to see. Recommended changes:

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