Work Matters: Management Focus - Observation tools - Lighten the load

Busy Bears Nursery in Durham has developed an innovative approach to meeting the observation requirements of the EYFS.

Its answer to managing observation in a rigorous but time-effective way has been to introduce 'observational trolleys' in each of its four rooms, containing a laptop, digital camera and other IT equipment.

Manager and owner Emma Graham says, 'Getting the observational element of the EYFS right has been the first priority for us and prompted us to think carefully about the way we have traditionally been carrying out observations.

'Staff typically wrote up their observations by hand and then matched them up with photographs and other evidence. This tended to be a rather lengthy and cumbersome process. It occurred to us that it would be much more efficient - and creative - to put observations straight on to laptops as part of everyday, focused activities and build on this to extend to their scope. It also seemed a good way to get all staff confident about using computers.'

The impetus for introducing the trolleys came from the staff themselves. Team meetings yielded plenty of ideas for what the staff wanted to achieve together, and the priority was to come up with a system that assisted observation by being hands-on and readily accessible. After putting forward a detailed proposal, Busy Bears received funding for the equipment through the Capital Early Years Grant.

Ms Graham says the new approach has provided a morale boost for staff and they have embraced it enthusiastically. 'It's much faster, tidier and more finely tuned. It means we have been able to dispense with many of the traditional folders. The children can also access the laptop and participate in their documentation.'

Observations are wider-ranging now that everything is tied together digitally. 'This is particularly valuable for parents,' says Ms Graham. 'Rather than providing a collection of colouring sheets and paintings, we can show evidence of how children have developed and gained in confidence - for example, how they have begun to use a knife and fork, have enjoyed nappy changing or started to walk.We can demonstrate their development across all aspects of nursery life.'

As the approach develops, Ms Graham expects parents to participate increasingly in observations. 'Parents will be able to have input online themselves and note down any activities that children enjoy at home, which the nursery can then pick up on. By the same token, they will be able to comment on and contribute to recorded activities at nursery.'

Ms Graham is excited about the potential of her approach when it comes to the transition to school. 'These observations give a holistic picture of a given child and can include the input of parents and a range of professionals. We are finding that the use of IT is also helping parents to understand what the EYFS is all about and how they can play an important part in it.'