Parent Workshop

Contents What is a Learning Journal? What will Tapestry online learning journal bring to New Bridge and our families? What can parents expect? How can parents access and use Tapestry at home? How will iPads be used at nursery? What will happen at the end of the year? How do our policies ensure that children’s learning and safety online is paramount when using Tapestry?

What is a Learning Journal? A journey of your child’s learning experiences in Early Years. Tracking children’s progress through photographs and written observation and assessment. Assessing children’s learning using Early Years Outcomes (Sept 2013) and Characteristics of effective learning documents (see handouts). A joint partnership between nursery and home – Share a moment! Refer to development matters and Characteristics of effective learning hand outs

What has this child learnt to do? Let’s ‘share a moment’ Encourage parents to focus on CoEL. What has this child learnt to do?

What Tapestry online journal brings to New Bridge and our families? Staff: More time spent with your child. A whole school approach. Interactive – now with videos! Visual feedback for the child (photos, videos) Staff self-reflection and quality of teaching. A stronger partnership with parent/carers.

What Tapestry online journal brings to New Bridge and our families? Parents: Regular access to your child’s learning journal. Positive conversations at home. A better understanding of the EYFS curriculum. Continuity of strategies at home e.g. behaviour, phonics or questioning. A positive learning experience for your child leading to better progress.

What parents can expect Meaningful observations will take place in nursery throughout the year. New learning/observations will be notified in an email. A learning journal is not a daily diary. The children will also have FAB folders (early mark making on paper) at nursery. Mention about baseline and prime areas at the beginning of the year.

How to activate your Tapestry account… One account will be given to each family with a secured login. A second login may be given to parents who have separated. New Bridge will email parents an activation link once all parents have signed and agreed to our permissions and guidelines. If you do not have access to email, we can make up an account for you to come and view your child’s online journal at nursery. Print outs can also be provided (a small voluntary donation for printing would be appreciated).

Enter your own password and pin number, then click ‘Activate Account Enter your own password and pin number, then click ‘Activate Account.’ You will then be asked to log in.

To view your child’s learning journal Login Go to the ‘children’ tab (you will see your child’s name only). Click on your child’s photo Select ‘view Joe’s journal.’ Select the observation you wish to view. Add a comment if you wish e.g. well done, or Joe also took turns in a board game at home this weekend.

To add your own observation at home…. To add notes…. Click on ‘obs’ tab at top of screen. Click on ‘add observation.’ Type in information; title, date notes. To add a photo….. Click on ‘add media’ to upload a photo. Click on ‘add file’ Click on ‘start upload’ Finally…Click save! Your child’s key person will then be notified of your observation and use it to support your child’s learning and progress.

….Example observation

‘All About me’ Parent/carer contributions to children’s education are highly valuable and have a positive impact. For your first ‘observation’ on Tapestry, please upload a photo of your family and write a comment on where you are from and your home language.

How will iPads be used at New Bridge? iPads as a learning tool…. Planned, supervised, educational and age appropriate! Apps will be carefully selected by the whole team with children’s learning at the centre of what we choose. Lessons on iPads are identified on the weekly planning and used in individual or small groups up to once a week.

What happens when your child leaves the setting? Learning journals will be put onto a disc for parents at the end of your child’s time at New Bridge. We would politely ask for a small voluntary donation towards the discs or printing. You will find a ‘Farewell comment’ at the end of your child’s learning journal and time at New Bridge. This will inform parents of their child’s overall time at nursery. In addition, your child has a FAB folder including all art work and mark making which has been gathered over the course of their time at nursery.

Tapestry Privacy, Security and Back up Policy. How will we ensure that children’s learning and safety online is paramount when using Tapestry? The following policies are up to date and relate specifically to the use of Tapestry. These can be accessed at New Bridge and on our website: Tapestry Privacy, Security and Back up Policy. New Bridge Safeguarding Policy New Bridge Confidentiality Policy New Bridge Policy on the use of electronic systems in schools