1. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited CACHE LEVEL 2 INTRODUCTION TO EARLY YEARS EDUCATION AND CARE Unit 11 Use observation, assessment and planning

2. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO2 Be able to use observation methods. AC 2.1 Use observation methods: Checklist Free description. AC 2.2 Observe in line with current frameworks: An individual child Indoor provision Outdoor provision. Learning Outcomes

3. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Starter activity 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1) Time: 15 mins Do you like to work from a ‘to do’ list when planning or organising something? Consider: Going on holiday Handing in coursework Shopping Organising resources for an activity Planning an event Do you prefer to go without a list as you know you will not leave anything out?

4. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited There are a variety of observation methods. Some observations are very quick and only require a few words. Some observations are longer and require detailed written notes. Some observations only require a tick or a yes or no. All observations require the date and, where relevant, the duration of the observation. 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1) Observation methods

5. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited All observations must remain confidential. When carrying out an observation for your coursework, you should not name the child or setting. You should use codes such as ‘Child A’ and ‘Child B’. You must get permission from your supervisor and discuss what you need to do. 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1) Observation methods

6. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited This method of observation requires practitioners to fill in a pre-prepared checklist of skills. The child may have been asked to do a specific set of tasks and the observer will fill in a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ box. A checklist will often have another column that is headed ‘nearly’ or ‘sometimes’. This method of observation is very quick and can assess several children at the same skill or task. 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1) Checklist observation

7. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Independent research activity Time: 15 mins Research and review a variety of checklist examples. Consider: The age and stage it would be suitable for The purpose of the checklist The column headings General layout Space for comments or review. 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1)

8. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Pairs activity Time: 15 mins Discuss the checklist examples you have reviewed. Consider: Which one/s did you prefer? Why? Which one did you like the least? Why? Why does a checklist need a ‘nearly’ or ‘sometimes’ column? What are the positives and negatives of a checklist observation? 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1)

9. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited A free-description observation requires the practitioner to write down everything they see and hear when observing. Practitioners will develop their own ways of writing down as much as possible. They may create a code for certain areas, toys or children. They may use initials and symbols. This will enable them to get as much information down as possible. 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1) Free-description observation

10. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited This type of observation gives practitioners a detailed account of a child and what they were doing whilE being observed. It is very important when carrying out a free-description observation that practitioners only write down what they saw and heard. Practitioners must not include their own opinion during the observation. This can be included in the reflection, summary or review of the observation. 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1) Free-description observation

11. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Practitioners must be objective and not subjective in their writing: 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1) Free-description observation

12. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited You are required to carry out the following observations: An individual child – this will require you to have permission from the setting and the parent/carer. Indoor provision – you will need to choose one specific area inside the setting and observe how it is used. Outdoor provision – you will need to choose one specific area in the outdoor space and observe how it is used. 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.2) Carry out observations

13. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Group activity Time: 15 mins Discuss what you might observe in the outdoor space. Consider: The layout of the area Equipment that is permanently fixed, such as a climbing frame Equipment that is put out daily, such as balls or bikes Indoor activities that are available outdoors, such as a creative area What would you want to find out from carrying out this observation? 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.2)

14. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Classroom discussion activity Time: 15 mins Discuss what you need to do in preparation for the observations. Consider: Permission Choosing the method Identifying the individual child Resources needed to carry out the observation When you are going to plan to do the observations Are there any areas of this task that you are concerned about? 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1, 2.2)

15. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Extension activity Time: 15 mins Research one other method of observation and briefly identify why and when it may be used. Consider: Event sample Time sample Diary Longitudinal study Diagrams and charts. 2. Be able to use observation methods (2.1)

16. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Summary There are a range of observation methods, and practitioners will choose the one most suitable to them at the time. Checklists are quick and require no detailed comments. Free description contains written details of everything that is seen and heard.

17. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited 1.Explain two positives and two negatives of a checklist observation. 2.Give three reasons for observing outdoor play provision. 3.What is the difference between subjective and objective? Plenary