News

On the right track

At the Thomas Coram Early Childhood Centre, observation and assessment is the key to effective planning - and a powerful tool for staff development and parent involvement, says Wendy Scott The Thomas Coram Early Childhood Centre enjoys excellent resources and premises specially designed for children, but central to its high quality provision is the thought that staff give to planning, which is refined by their continuing observation of the children's development.

The Thomas Coram Early Childhood Centre enjoys excellent resources and premises specially designed for children, but central to its high quality provision is the thought that staff give to planning, which is refined by their continuing observation of the children's development.

Opportunities for observation are built in to the daily routines, and time is also set aside for staff to talk with parents, to share thinking with colleagues, and to review their practice.

Janice Marshall, who is deputy head and special needs co-ordinator, has overall responsibility for the youngest children at the Centre. She monitors the records kept for all children aged up to three, reading the notes of the keyworkers' observations, and looking at samples and photographs of the children's activities in their big record books, where paintings and photographs of other work in progress are mounted.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here