Bruntwood Pre-School Care, Learning and Play Policy
Planning, Observations and Assessment
Statement of Intent
Quality observations are at the centre of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, DfES,
2007) and enable staff to:
Celebrate each child’s achievements
Share information with parents
Plan for a child’s interests
Plan for a child’s next steps of development
Ensure every child access a broad range of activities
Aim
To use quality observations of children in the pre-school to inform and determine the
direction of future planning. To ensure children are offered appropriate opportunities for
development.
Method
Staff will make observations of the children when appropriate. Note style observations will
be made from spontaneous child initiated activities. A focussed adult directed activity will
be offered weekly to the children. This will be formally observed. All observations will be
referenced to the six areas of learning and the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) as stipulated in
the EYFS (DfES, 2007). Observations will be used by a child’s Key Person to inform future
planning. Children’s achievements will be recorded on observation record sheets and in
their Learning Journeys to track progress. Observations and other parts of the records
described in this policy will be kept by the child’s Key Person.
Planning
Activities are planned weekly and are informed by the previous weeks planning, taking into
consideration the children’s individual interest and development, seasons and special
events. Activities can be changed or extended during the week if a particular interest is
observed.
Key Person
Each child will be allocated a key person on entry to the pre-school based upon the days the
child attends. It may be necessary for some children to have more than one key person in
order that they have a key person for each day that they attend the pre-school. The key
person can be changed if a child gravitates more with another carer or if the child or carer
changes the days that they attend. We will however endeavour to maintain key person
continuity where appropriate. It is the responsibility of the key person to maintain the
child’s observations, scrap book and Learning Journey.
Forms of Observation
Observations will be recorded in a variety of forms, using the most appropriate method for
the activity and observation in question. These will include:
Written descriptions
Photographs
Examples of child’s work
Staff at the pre-school will take photographs or other recordings of the children attending
the pre-school, to record achievement or inform planning. Photographs of special events
can also be viewed on our website by members of Bruntwood Pre-School which includes
parents and staff.
Parental Involvement
Parents will be asked to provide baseline information on their child’s stage of development
on entry to the pre-school. “My child is amazing“ forms are available throughout the year
and will be given out half termly or on request by parents. We welcome news of your child’s
recent achievements. These forms will be shared with your child and stuck into your child’s
scrap book together with photos, child’s work and some observations. Similarly, if you have
any concerns regarding your child’s development please speak to your child’s Key Person.
We acknowledge that some parents may not feel able to contribute in writing to the records
of their child. For all parents, time is available for speaking with their child’s Key Person, and
parents can ask for details of their conversations to be added to their child’s records to
inform observations and planning. Parents are welcome to view the records of their child at
any time by asking their child’s Key Person.
Outdoor Learning
Statement of Intent
We value outdoor play as an intrinsic part of the curriculum. By ensuring outdoor play is an
integral part of the pre-school routine, we consciously seek to transmit a positive attitude to
the outdoors and to enrich the child’s understanding of the world around them. Active
learning experiences outdoors are essential for young children. They give children
opportunities to practice their developing skills, make them feel good and to explore their
world. It is also important for children’s physical, mental and emotional development. We
believe that children should begin to take risks and face challenges outdoors. The Early
Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, DfES, 2007) fully supports playing outdoors. We believe that
access to the outdoor area is beneficial to health and wellbeing of young children. As a
consequence we do not want to restrict a child’s choice to play and learn outdoors. If a child
is not well enough to go out, we would ask parents that they are kept at home from preschool.
Aim
To enable children to use the outdoor area as a context for learning throughout the year.
We aim to provide a safe, stimulating outdoor environment where space is used effectively
to enable children to explore a broad and balanced curriculum using a range of interesting
resources suitable to their individual needs.
Method
The outdoor area will be resourced and available for the children to access on a daily basis.
Children will be able to choose to use the outdoor area freely during the spring, summer
and autumn months. We have recently purchased all in one raincoats to enable the children
to access our outdoor area in all weathers by being kept warm and dry. During the winter
months when it is not always possible for us to offer free access to the outdoor play area for
example ice which makes it dangerous for the children, we are able to use a large indoor
hall which provides them with space to take part in physical activities. Small groups of
children will taken outside for planned outdoor activities when it is not possible to keep the
door open throughout the session, due to loss of heat and cost involved in getting the room
up to the required temperature.
Children will need to have appropriate outdoor clothing for the weather in order to enable
them to fully access the activities outside, which are normally provided by the parent. We
have two cloakroom trolleys which are wheeled outside for the children to independently
get their coat and put it on by themselves or with adult assistance if necessary. The items
needed will include but are not restricted to:
a waterproof coat
shoes appropriate for playing out in
sun protection
a hat
gloves
scarf
wellies
Whenever children are using the outdoor area, we will ensure that it is appropriately staffed
using the same ratios of adults to child as apply indoors. Staff will make observations to
inform future planning when working with children in the outdoor area.
This policy was adopted by Bruntwood Pre-School on------------(date)
Signed on behalf of the pre-school------------------------