Explain the role of observation in planning

Qualification: Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 3.8: Understand how to plan to meet the needs of the developing child
Learning outcome: 2 Understand how to plan to meet the needs of children
Assessment criteria: 2.3 Explain the role of observation in planning

• Practitioners should perform regular observations of children, which will involve taking time to watch them during play and activities
• Some observations will be planned and some will be ‘on-the-spot’ as part of the practitioners daily role
• Observations should be recorded
• This can help to assess their current development
• It can also assist with identifying their next steps and planning activities to achieve this