Planning
“Planning is the continuous process of collaborative, reflective thinking to meet all learning needs. It is the coming together of the curriculum and pedagogy. The curriculum informs what we teach and pedagogy is the process of how children learn.”
ELC Early Learning and Childcare Planning Working Group 2017
Developing practitioner understanding of CfE and the frameworks to support progression of all children as part of the planning cycle
Curriculum for Excellence.pdfAims:
Examine the Curriculum Framework as described in the National Standards
Review the Education Scotland’s refresh of Curriculum for Excellence
Explore the Curriculum for Excellence and the East Lothian Frameworks and how they support learning and progression
Consider how to use and engage with the frameworks using the Principles of Curriculum Design and the 4 Capacities
Realising the Ambition describes planning as part of 'child centred pedagogy in practice' cycle (Page 64)
Practitioner’s plan to enhance children’s learning through quality interactions, experiences and spaces.
Planning starts with the child
In planning, practitioners should:
Listen to the child and observe their actions. They should interact with the child to discover what the child knows.
Respond to the child's needs through quality experiences, interaction and spaces. They should write observations, assess the learning and plan next steps.
Notes should be taken throughout this process to ensure there are no missed opportunities, so each child is taken to the edge of their learning and the whole team can support each child.
We need to refer to documents to ensure planning is developmentally appropriate and children are progressing.
In East Lothian, we use:
· Curriculum for Excellence
· East Lothian Council Curriculum Frameworks
· Realising the Ambition
In East Lothian, we have a guidance on meaningful planning.
Planning Guidance August 2018.pdfIn East Lothian, we ask for five tiers to record planning:
· Yearly plan
· Termly plan - Curriculum for Excellence and ELC Frameworks
· Organisational plan
· Working plan
· In the moment/responsive plan
Planning can be recorded in a format chosen by your setting, including floor books, and displays. Planning should include the children’s and families' voices. Planning is part of an ongoing cycle to ensure all children are progressing in learning. Often plans show a particular focus on numeracy, literacy and health and wellbeing.
Here are some examples
How much planning is enough?
Enough is each child is progressing at their level.
Quoted by an Education Scotland Inspector during an inspectionDiscussion Question for Self-Evaluation and Development
Q. Are you and the team using the documents stated above to plan? Is this evident in the planning?
Q. How do you plan to make sure each child is progressing at their level?
Q, How often do you observe a child playing? How do you ensure this informs their next learning?
Q. Do you know what the CFE Principles mean? How can you find out?