Documenting EYLF - Family Day Care

[LindyT]

great work Amanda;
Looks Fab!!

Thanks for your words of encouragement!!!

[Lorina]

Hi Lindy & Amanda,

Great to see what you both are working with!

It’s very exciting to see what you came up with at the beginning and where it is now…

How is it going putting your programming into action? Is there anything that needs to change? Is there anything that you need to add?

Cheers ,
L.A

[LindyT]

Is working well for me LA.

I just have to get my head around the weekly evaluation in an objective way.

I'll then be moving onto my next challenge and thats streamlining my obs.

1 thing at a time Lindy, 1 thing at a time lol

[Amanda Close]

Hmm...not right yet, but I intend on continuing with it so I can tweek out the problems. All seems too involved for mapping their learning, growth and development.
Sure I will get there, eventually.

[jrw60]

Still ironing out a few wrinkles with my paperwork, but it's getting there! Feeling really confident and not so alone now that we are working together. Thanks so much for your wonderful ideas & generous sharing ladies! Like you, my ideas have grown. Here is one of the documents I'm pretty happy with - I hand write this one to document significant learning & spontaneous events as they happen - it goes with me everywhere during the day along with my camera, and is displayed for the parents on my noticeboard. Would also work on the computer if you prefer. Quite different than where I started with 6 x a4 pages per week - 2 for the nappies, sleep thing and one for each day I work - now it's just 2. All suggestions and ideas gratefully received! Also collaborating with a really switched on Educator with other documents (ha ha, you rock and you know who you are!!) http://www.aussiechildcarenetwork.com/i ... /heart.gif
Love this site L.A!!

[LindyT]

Who is this masked collaborator you speak of and can I collaborate with this wonder too??
And this rock you speak of hope it isn't being thrown at the Educator. Oooops thats right that's stoning. Mind you these days being stoned isn't the same as it was back in the good ole days! BC! lol

Looking good jrw60

[Amanda Close]

jrw60,
I gotta say that your form is looking pretty stream line and all inclusive, I like it a lot....is it working?

[jrw60]

Thanks for the encouragement! Works well for me so far - been using it for 2 weeks, thanks Mandy & Lindy for your inspiration, great minds think alike hey! As for the masked collaborator - lovin' your sense of humour! Isn't it fantastic we can share from so far away - Qld, NSW and Tassie.

[Lorina]

Through all your documentation I think I'm beginning to understand what family day carers need in terms of practicality. It's been interesting for me, having never worked in a family day care before to read what your thoughts are on the EYLF!

[LindyT]

You don't REALLY want to know my thoughts L.A lmao They are very scary indeed lol

[Lorina]

Lindy,

Don't hold anything back... I'd love to hear your honest thoughts on EYLF, especially how you go about implementing it into your family day care centre... Do you love it or hate it?? I'd love to hear your honesty! I'm a big girl I can take it!! LOL

Cheers ,
L.A

[LindyT]

My take on EYLF

We have to do it may as well embrace it!

The bits I love
Proves I'm doing my job well as I haven't had to change anything to show I am doing EYLF (Activity wise)
Teaches the parents that play is such valuable as a tool for the children.
Helps us ensure the children's development is covered from every aspect.


The bits i hate
Having to point it out in my documentation. (The LOC's) (NQS) etc
The extra work that it takes to point it out.
How much less time I have with the children because of the paperwork.
I hate how it has stressed everyone out. Everyone is still so unsure they are doing IT right.
the fact we have to question each little move
kids can't just be kids
everything is analysed
Needs to be in plain english!!!

[Lorina]

Hi Lindy,

How are you going? Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I read your "cons" and I do have to agree with most of the points you mentioned. In a way it does seem that everything has to be analyzed by linking the outcomes, principles and practices. I guess this is just a way to let others know that even though a child may be only playing their developing and achieving goals which makes it all worthwhile. But thinking about it how many childcare professionals completely understand what the learning outcomes, principles and practices mean?? I mean I bet there are plenty of others who have no clue on what the outcomes mean and just do it for the sake of doing it. Just because you add a Learning outcome here and there, to a photo and an art work, it doesn't mean you're implementing EYLF... It has to be on child's interest, it has to be child centered, it is based on the child's point of how they learn... I feel like it's not that kids cant be kids it's just that now that we are so focused on over analyzing everything and getting the paperwork done, we are missing out on developing a child learning and extending their opportunities...

For me, writing documentation isn't the problem because I think it's important that we document the learning journey that a child can have through a simple experience. I have posted an update on my latest progress of the release of the online tools in the following topic: http://www.aussiechildcarenetwork.com/v ... 3329#p3329 This will provide details on what features will be available.

I just want to provide a unique and simple way to help you understand and document the EYLF without taking your time away from the children - I really hope I can help you cut down the time you spend on documenting...

It's a long and twisted journey that's for sure!

Cheers ,
L.A

[LindyT]

Knowing you L.A I'm sure you will come up with something breath-takinly awesome.

** Holding on to my number from the box very tightly and getting excited to see what you DO come up with!**

[emilysnan]

Hi Lindy, I love your A3 program however I am unable to print it out proply,can you please tell me what I am doing wrong,Thanks

[LindyT]

Hi EmilysNan,

I used to set my printer up to split the A3 onto 2 a4 sheets then sticky tape it together.
You can buy a3 printers but I didn't use the format that long enuff to warrant it.

I have attached what I currently use

Weekly diary page wk bgn blank example.docx

Plus I also use the weekly curriculum page Play based learning format
Reflection of our day, and Learning stories from this site
http://www.aussiechildcarenetwork.com/online_tools/

Hope this helps

[jrw60]

Had a bit of a chuckle to myself earlier today.......seems there were several of us here (Sunday) obviously working and doing our paperwork. Love how this site helps ease the loneliness of our job!! And the pain of so much paperwork too!!

[LindyT]

No rest for the wicked lol

[jrw60]

Just interested to know how FDC'ers are going with their paperwork now that it's a bit further down the track. Have been trying out the wonderful forms from this site lately - using the FDC Weekly Curriculum plan LO based and the daily reflections (which i cross out and use as a weekly reflection). I am using my own version of a learning story (made up from ideas all over the place!), and have made individual children's records (long term goals) which illustrate their individual progress towards the learning outcomes. Oh, and a form on display for the parents with nappies, sunscreen, appetite etc too!

My scheme is promoting this site to all and sundry, you are famous L.A!!!

Feeling like I have run 16 marathons getting here, but am comfortable with where I'm at with the documentation "flowing" just now..............still behind though!!

[LindyT]

I'm doing ok atm. Everything is almost up to date.
(Have only 4 Obs to do for the Month as the children were very busy last week (I'm on holidays now tho)
I am programming fortnightly (Gives me time to resource the learning experiences)
I use the Learning Stories from here.
My own setup for displaying my programming. (As it is fortnightly)
My own Obs template (Waiting for L.A to put up A.C.N. version).
My diary page is working really well with records of OBS/LS, safety and sleep check provisions, Reflection/Evaluations etc.
Just trying to figure out how to show the NQF outside of QA 1 (EYLF)
Also trying to figure out how to do a Professional Development Plan and rewrite my Philosophy.

Yeah I'm almost up to date lol