The present work analyses the findings of an interview to a practitioner, with the purpose to find out How do Early Childhood Practitioners use research techniques to develop their understanding of children’s needs and development.
The practitioner interviewed is an Assistant Teacher in a nursery. She is working with children 3 to 4 years old. She has Level 2 and 3 In Early Childhood Studies and another courses that complete her education. Currently she is studying level 4 and 5 part time in the University of East London with the aim to get promotion in the future.
There is no relationship between the interviewer and the interviewee, apart from a conversation of few minutes at the beginning of the course as a classmate.
The main roles of Practitioner A is to follow EYFS, that consist in seven points of learning and seven areas. Support the planning and implementation of activities with children, promoting effective teaching and learning. Provide a purposeful, stimulating environment, rich in learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors and promote the inclusion of all children. Also the interaction with each other and support the nursery’s commitment on safeguarding children in all aspect of the nursery service.
The main purpose of this interview was to find answers to the main research questions of this study: How do Early Childhood Practitioners use research techniques to develop their understanding of children’s needs and development. According to Marshall (1997:65)
It is very important to recognise that parents and practitioners have different kinds of relationships with the children in their care. Practitioners need to develop consistent, warm and affectionate relationships with children especially babies but they should not seek to replace the parents. Babies need to be with the same people each and every day to develop social relationships. This is why the EYFS requires all early years settings and schools to implement a key person system. Parents and practitioners have one thing in common that is very important: they all want the best for the child. The roles involved are not the same yet they are complementary. Parents know their own child best. Practitioners have knowledge of general child development.
My responsibilities as a trainee nursery practioner include: providing physical and emotion support and care for the
This helps practitioner’s work together for the welfare of children. It promotes the Every Child Matters outcomes to reinforcing how important it is for all child careers to work together.
As child practitioners we must work on our skills in communicating with children because the way we communicate with them is important not only for their communication and language development, but also the development of our relationship with them. Young children often aren't able to express their thoughts and feelings in words, or express them poorly. Because of this, it's important that child practitioners can listen carefully and help children to learn how to express themselves and also provide what they need.
As a practitioner it’s your duty to observe and maintain correct procedures to ensure that the children are offered a stimulating environment which will further allow optimum possibilities for development. All those who work with or amongst children and young people have a crucial role to play in helping not only to shape aspects of their lives, but to also aid in enhancing their future development. Therefore it can be stated that how we set up our own working practices can affect children and young people’s development, as will be identified by this essay; below are areas where one should concentrate in order to further
‘Early years practitioners have a key role to play in working with parents to support their young children. This should include identifying learning needs and responding quickly to any difficulties. Wherever appropriate, practitioners should work together with professionals from other
E1 Collate evidence which describes the role of the practitioner in meeting children’s learning needs.
Practitioner’s expectations should be to become a valuable practitioner, to be reliable and build good relationships with children and parent carers, encouraging play whilst learning, and by having children’s best interests e.g. physical activities, outings, this would help them to enjoy their growth in knowledge and assist in enhancing their development as a whole. Also practitioners should work as a team with other staff members and parent/carers in order to support the children to promote the children’s initial learning so that the children will feel confident and would be able boost up their self-esteem, and this will also help them in their future, and prepare them in further education when they move onto school. Also the
The responsibility of the practitioner is to work as part of a team with other professionals and staff members effectively to bring children and parents the best possible service i.e. working with social workers, speech and language therapists, and family support workers. Practitioners must also have a working partnership with parents, to work effectively with the child as the parents are the primary carers and they will know what the child is like at home and what the child’s interests are. For example they would have a policy called ”parents as partners”.
I am of the opinion that as a child practitioner an essential part of our work role will involve actively seeking to evolve and where apt build relationships. Consequently having a significant impact on children and young people’s lives.
Practitioners work in partnership with parent’s families, as they are the child’s first and most enduring carers and educators
The rationale for this choice was that the authors clinical background is health visiting and therefore has prior knowledge of good practice in child and family settings, an understanding of child development stages and experience of supporting children with complex needs and their families. Additionally, the author has previously been involved in shadowing opportunities within their own organisation and knows service areas well. By choosing an area unfamiliar to the author, a fresh eyes approach could be pursued and limited the potential for bias.
The role and responsibilities of an early year’s practitioner follow a number of codes. When working with children there are many care needs of children, such as special needs, safeguarding children, children’s learning, behaviour, and working with parents. Early years practitioners have set responsibilities when working with children, like meeting the learning needs of a child, providing an environment which is welcoming and also they have to work together as part of a team to provide good service for both children and parents.
Throughout my years as a childcare practitioner, I have accumulated a wide range of experience working with children aged 3 – 11. However, the majority of my experience is with children aged 3-5. Through
Theories of development and frameworks to support development are incredibly important to us working with children and young people. They help us to understand children, how they react to things/situations, their behaviour and the ways they learn. Different theories and ways of working with children have come together to provide frameworks for children’s care, such as Early year’s foundation stage (EYFS) which is used within all child care settings. This encourages us to work together, help and check the development of babies, children and young people, to keep them healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to