Task One: Evaluate the curriculum and learning environment (35 marks) 1. Provide a brief description of the service including: families (structure, culture and language groups represented); children...

Task One: Evaluate the curriculum and learning environment (35 marks)


1.    Provide a brief description of the service including: families (structure, culture and language groups represented); children (age range, number, additional needs); staffing (number, qualifications culture and language groups represented) and the local community (rural/city etc).  This will only need to be one or two paragraphs. (5 marks)
2.    Read and comment on the service's philosophy and record the daily routine of the room.  Is there a set timetable? Is there a set time for indoor/outdoor time, mealtime? (5 marks)
3.    Evaluate the service’s current curriculum and the indoor and outdoor learning environment.  You may use the Early Years Learning Framework or other regulated learning framework to assist you to evaluate these.
You will need to consider the routine of the day, learning opportunities, interactions, indoor and outdoor play spaces, equipment and materials provided, access to natural outdoor environments and opportunities to go into and contribute to the local community.

The evaluation will be approximately 1 page in length (15 marks)
Clearly list the criteria that you use to evaluate the curriculum and learning environment.
You may choose to use some of the following questions or refer to the learning framework for more ideas.

How is the learning environment responsive to the interests and needs of the children?
How does the curriculum cater for different learning styles?

How does the curriculum incorporate children and families’ ideas, interests and questions?
How does the curriculum promote shared thinking and collaborative learning?
How does the learning environment reflect the families and community?

What opportunities do children get to connect to nature?
4.    Observe the whole group of children, identify emerging interests, preferred types of play amongst the group and wherever possible consult the children to gain this information. Document suggestions for modifying or adding to the learning environment based on this information gathered and your evaluation of the environment. (10 marks)
The environment will need to:
a)    Support all aspects of children’s learning, and promote opportunities for sustained shared thinking and collaborative learning.
b)    Reflect the families who use the service and the local community

c)    Promote children’s appreciation of and connection to nature



Task Two: Gather information about children (65 marks)


Select a group of four (4) children to observe. Choose children who share interests or enjoy playing together. You will gather information to use to plan the curriculum for five (5) days.

You may use your focus children selected and the information gathered from:

•    Program Cluster On the job Assessment 1 LA017453 and Assessment 2 LA017446
However please note, only use these children if they share interests or enjoy playing with the group.

i.    Gain permission to observe the children from their families. Use the GROUP ‘Permission to observe form' included in this assessment.
ii.    Gather information about each child from the child’s family, staff and where appropriate the child.    Information needs to include their current interests, play preferences, current goals, expectations of family, learning preferences and dispositions, strengths, emerging skills and significant relationships in the child’s life. (20 marks)

You may use any professional format to record this information.