Observation, Planning and Assessment

We believe that careful planning is required to ensure that play is of a high quality. Observations of each child are evaluated and linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which allows for every child’s individual development to be monitored and their progress recorded in their Learning Diary.

Our planning cycle starts with observing children at their play in order to understand their current interests, development and learning. We also talk with parents to find out what your child can do as well as the things your child likes to do in the home environment. This enables us to plan appropriate activities which will form the ‘Next Steps’ in your child’s learning and development.

It is important that we keep records of your child’s learning and development. Every child will have a record book called a ‘Learning Diary.’ This is where we keep observations, photographs of your child at play, planning sheets and a record of your child’s progress. You can access your child’s learning diary at any time and we invite you to add comments or observations about what your child does at home. Your will be given your child’s learning diary when they leave the nursery and you may choose to share this document with your child’s next setting.