Recording the program make sure the operational This section explains the recorded or program, what happens on a written information required for basis links to the vision making decisions about the program. statement Recorded information is sometimes called documentation. get to know children better, learn about their individual Documenting (or writing down) the differences, development, program and the actual program interests and needs decision making process are two different things, although related. share information with families and Recorded information, including children and invite their input your program, contributes to talk with other educators offering a good experience to all children and is essential. In addition be accountable to sponsors and to the program, this information can management include: provide experiences that cater for the vision statement interests children’s notes about the program and demonstrate that your program is experiences (either intentional and purposeful. children’s individual children or groups All documentation or recorded of children) information needs to help you get to information about individual know children better and feed directly children into the decisions about the program. their development and learning, – One of the important things to ask interests, achievements, yourself continually is is this ‘how experiences in the service and in information reflected in the program the family, concerns or questions decisions that we make and provide for children every day?’ evidence of play, work children’s and learning (photographs of What kinds of documentation do children at work and play, records you do now? of comments and children’s How does it link to what you plan conversations, paintings, drawings and provide for children every day? and other created products) Are there additional kinds of thoughts and reflections about documentation or changes to current any aspect of the program or a documentation that would contribute child or several children’s to a better program? behaviour. What is in the Act and While educators do most of the Regulations about program documenting; children and families planning? can and should contribute. In other words, the program should reflect The Regulations require that and ideas. services have an outline of everyone’s contributions children’s the educational or recreational Recording information is important for program displayed at the service and a number of reasons. It helps you: that the educational or recreational remember things you might program be available at the service otherwise forget (Regulations 40 and 41).
Recording the program This section explains the recorded or written information required for making decisions about the program. Recorded information is sometimes called documentation. Documenting (or writing down) the program and the actual program decision making process are two different things, although related. Recorded information, including your program, contributes to offering a good experience to all children and is essential. In addition to the program, this information can include: the vision statement notes about the program and children’s experiences (either individual children or groups of children) information about individual children – their development and learning, interests, achievements, experiences in the service and in the family, concerns or questions evidence of children’s play, work and learning (photographs of children at work and play, records of children’s comments and conversations, paintings, drawings and other created products) thoughts and reflections about any aspect of the program or a child or several children’s behaviour. While educators do most of the documenting; children and families can and should contribute. In other words, the program should reflect everyone’s contributions and ideas. Recording information is important for a number of reasons. It helps you: remember things you might otherwise forget make sure the operational program, what happens on a basis links to the vision statement get to know children better, learn about their individual differences, development, interests and needs share information with families and children and invite their input talk with other educators be accountable to sponsors and management provide experiences that cater for children’s interests demonstrate that your program is intentional and purposeful. All documentation or recorded information needs to help you get to know children better and feed directly into the decisions about the program. One of the important things to ask yourself continually is ‘how is this information reflected in the program decisions that we make and provide for children every day?’ What kinds of documentation do you do now? How does it link to what you plan and provide for children every day? Are there additional kinds of documentation or changes to current documentation that would contribute to a better program? What is in the Act and Regulations about program planning? The Regulations require that children’s services have an outline of the educational or recreational program displayed at the service and that the educational or recreational program be available at the service (Regulations 40 and 41).