“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Assessment and planning cycle
Element 1.3.1: Assessment and planning cycle
Each child’s learning and development is assessed or evaluated as part of an ongoing cycle of observation, analysing learning, documentation, planning, implementation and reflection.
Assessment for learning is the process of gathering and analysing information as evidence of what children know, can do, and understand. (Early Years Learning Framework, p.19). Assessment and reflection are critical components of the ongoing cycle of planning and providing opportunities for educators to identify any changes or improvements to the program and also to reflect on their own practices.
For school age children, evaluation of wellbeing and learning refers to the process of scanning, monitoring, gathering and analysing information about how children feel and what children know, can do, and understand (Framework for School Age Care, p.16).
The focus should be on observing/collecting and analysing information that is:
- rich and meaningful, and not simply a description of what children are doing
- relevant to individual children, while capturing their identity, culture and what they are investigating and exploring
- focused on achievements and children’s strengths, what children know, can do and understand
The development and implementation of the educational program requires Educators and Educational Leaders to adopt a very planned and reflective approach, taking into account the individual needs of each child. This involves a wide range of practices including:
- observing children and gathering meaningful information about children’s current knowledge, identity and culture to assess their learning and progress, a crucial step in planning meaningful learning experiences
- interpreting this information and setting goals for individual and group learning
- involving families and children in decision-making
- planning for further learning that supports children as capable, competent people with agency and the ability to make choices and decisions
- engaging with the principles, practices and outcomes of Approved Learning Frameworks critically reflecting on children’s learning and development in a collaborative way with colleagues to affirm and challenge practices.
Quality Area 1: Unpacking the Planning Cycle
Resources:
Using the Early Years Planning Cycle
Planning for Children in School Age Care
We Hear You- Documentation – what, why and how
We Hear You: Unpacking the Planning Cycle:
Within System7 go to Quality Area 1/Modules 7 & 12 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has a range of resources to assist services with assessing children’s learning, programming and the cycle of planning . These include Assessment and planning Cycle Guide and Procedure, Observation templates, Program template, Assessment of Learning Summary and much more.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
Childcare Centre Desktop – Compliance/ Educational Program and Practice
National Quality Standard – QA 1/ 1.3.1- Assessment and planning cycle
National Regulations – Part 4.1 Educational Program and Practice
System7 Module – QA 1/ Modules 7 & 12
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