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Monday, 07 May 2012

Staff Observations

    These are a key strategy in monitoring quality of teaching and learning...

    ...and I have worked in several settings over the last couple of years either undertaking observations independently or with a member of the early years leadership team.

    Every school or nursery setting is unique and I always tailor the focus of the observations to the individual requirements of the setting I am working with.

    Having a structure for these observations, that is shared with staff before the observation is important.

    Over the last year I have used various schedules, often combining them in order to give staff comprehensive feedback.

    Linked to the Ofsted Framework - gives staff a chance to reflect on Ofsted indicators and relate it to their practice. This has been particularly valuable when working with staff in schools where an inspection is due.

    Linked to Effective Early Learning Project Adult Style Observation Schedule - based on research (Laevers, Bogaerts and Moons, 1997) it considers the three dimensions of stimulation, sensitivity and giving autonomy. Focusing on how important and powerful the way that adults interact with children is to the quality of learning.

    Linked to strategies identified as supporting ‘sustained shared thinking’ - a concept talked about extensively in EPPE (Effective Provision of Pre-School Education) research and the characteristics of effective learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2012.

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