Nursery Assessment

It is an important part of a practitioner’s job to observe and assess children in order to establish where a child is at with regards to their development, health and well being and if they require extra support. The factors that need to be taken into account when assessing development are:

Different observation techniques help to focus the observation so appropriate data is collected and presented in meaningful ways.

In order to apply theories and models of child development to support children’s development we must get to know each individual child by building a good relationship with the children through play, communication and answering to their personal needs. Observation and assessment is also key so that we know what each child is capable of and what they are working towards/could be encouraged towards. Good communication with parents is also beneficial as it helps the carer to see what the child is doing at home and to identify if there are things they do or don’t do at nursery that is different from home. It also helps to work out ways of encouraging development at home and at nursery.

What are the goals of Early Head Start? The goals or priorities of this is to provide safe and developmentally enriching caregiving. To support parent, mother and father, in the role as primary caregivers. The teaching of the children, and family in meeting personal goals. Being able to successfully achieve self sufficiency across a wide variety of domains. Communities being mobilized to provide proper resources and environment that is necessary. But also, to ensure the provision of high quality responsive services for the family. The idea of this topic, is to show the types of things that should be looked for when choosing a child care center. When choosing a child care center for whom it may involve it should be important to look for things like the quality of care, and the type of care and learning techniques that will be involved, while the child is there.

The purpose of assessment and planning with children and young people in residential childcare is to identify their needs and abilities and then how staff can work with that child or young person and then also develop any of their needs. Planning takes into account the real needs of an individual young person, their age, likes and dislikes, goals, levels of ability etc. This is done to ensure that individual goals and targets are appropriate and fair. Young people will be most interested in activities and experiences that are designed to be relevant to them; therefore, they are able to learn more effectively.

Also, in this assignment, each member of our group took time to research quotes, videos, articles and images for infant and toddler developmental domains and activities. When we were searching through our topics, we saw a huge selection of images that somebody had already saved on their Pinterest account. Each image gave us a proper explanation. For example, when we searched for infant and toddler environments, there were several beautiful images that popped up. We filtered through the Reggio Emilia Philosophy, which gave us details about how we can arrange setup outdoor activities inside the classrooms and look for which activities and materials we can arrange in different areas. These pins gave us an idea how the childcare must be designed

Striving to provide high quality childcare provisions that support children’s development to reach their potential.

* Babies and young children are vulnerable and very dependent on their parents and carers. Therefore as well as provide and children’s learning and development it is also essential that we support the physical care, keep them safe and meet their nutritional needs.

1.2 Evaluate how the policies and procedures of the setting support children and young people to:

1. Setting the standards for the learning, development and care, ensuring that every child makes progress and that no child gets left behind. Parents, providers should deliver individualised learning, development and care that enhances the development of the children in their care and gives those children the best possible start in life. Every child should be supported individually to make progress at their own pace and children who need extra support to fulfil their potential should receive special consideration. All providers have an equally important role to play in children’s early years experiences and they have to ensure that the provision they deliver is both appropriate to children’ needs and complementary to the education and care provided in child’s other settings.

Lines of responsibilities everyone has responsibility for the health and safety of the children and young people each member of staff need clear reporting

There are many Social, Economic and Cultural factors that will impact the lives and development of the Children and Young People in my care, these can include:

For this method I contacted four local Fife childminders that also work with the community childminding, I discussed with them over the telephone what I was required to do and how I would visit their setting to see their play area and to do an interview to gain qualitative information. (Appendix 1)

• Compare and contrast at least two different kinds of caregivers and the positive and/or negative impacts on development during infancy and early childhood. (examples: stay at home parent, daycare, grandparent, and nanny)

Discuss the role of the early years practitioner in planning provision to meet the needs of the child.