Children's Record Keeping

Policy for keeping Children's Records

1. All children will be allocated a named key worker.

2. The key worker will be responsible for keeping their key children's profile folders up to date and liaising with parents about their children's progress and development.

3. The following techniques will be used when observing children:

  • a) Brief day to day recordings on post it notes, by all staff on all children irrespective of whether or not the child is in their own key group.
  • b) Participating in focused activities- recording children's particular skills and developing knowledge e.g. use of scissors, mixing colours, life cycles, etc.
  • c) Time samples- particularly during the child's settling in period.
  • d) Narrative observations- if key worker feels there is a need for a more detailed observation e.g. if we have a cause for concern.

4. Key workers will use the profile folders to record each child's development in the seven areas of learning (early learning goals/stepping stones) gathering information from their observations.

5. A record of each child's time spent with us will be built up using samples of work, photographs, written evidence and experiences shared from home. This will be given to the child's parent when the child leaves.

6. Parent's permission will be sought to carry out observations and share our findings with other professionals where necessary.

7. With parents permission the child's profile will be passed on to the next provider.

8. We will liaise with parents on a regular basis to discuss their child's progress and share information about the child's overall development.

9. The basis of meetings with parents will be-mid term achievement report in the spring term and weekly when talking to the parent about child's morning at playgroup.

10. Other meetings may be arranged at the request of the parent or key worker.

11. Each child's development will be closely monitored to ensure that any concerns relating to special educational needs are dealt with promptly in accordance with the group's inclusion policy.

12. Any concerns will be discussed with the child's parents and the group's senco.

13. Profiles will be completed by the end of June.