Planning

**patevans** · 14-10-2009, 12:54 PM

I really am still struggling with the planning part of the EYFS

I have lots of obs and they are all linked to the eyfs but struggle so so much with planning, is there a thread anywhere that breaks it down into "simple" english?

I dont seem to be able to do next steps properly and put them into planning etc....I must be seriously stupid

**cabby** · 14-10-2009, 01:00 PM

trust me you are not stupid, planning is the one thing i just cant get my head around either, i just dont know how to do it

,

one of the things i dont get is when doing individual and group planning do you have to incorparate the 2 together iyswim??

and when doing obs, then next steps, is the next steps the childs individual planning??? not sure if that makes sence

**patevans** · 14-10-2009, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by karen s

trust me you are not stupid, planning is the one thing i just cant get my head around either, i just dont know how to do it

,

one of the things i dont get is when doing individual and group planning do you have to incorparate the 2 together iyswim??

and when doing obs, then next steps, is the next steps the childs individual planning??? not sure if that makes sence

Thats absolutely it, I really feel like a failure at my job when it comes to EYFS

no wonder my inspection was a disaster

**cabby** · 14-10-2009, 01:08 PM

bless ya, i wasnt much help really was i...lol, but at least you know your not the only one feeling like it, i really do know how you feel

**gigglinggoblin** · 14-10-2009, 01:09 PM

If your inspection was a disaster they would have shut you down, you must be doing something right!

I do my planning roughly weekly and I write my rough notes out on a word document. I have it as a table with boxes to tick for each of the 6 areas and whether it is adult or child led. I also have next steps written down on a piece of paper on their own so I can glance over it when I am planning. On the day I write what we have actually done, if we havent done one of the things I planned I usually copy and paste it to another day or week (no point in wasting it!). Takes about 10 - 15 minutes at the weekend for a rough idea then another 10 mins at night to write what we have done. If you want the sheet I use you are welcome to it, I cobbled it together myself so its not exactly perfect! I do only have one mindee atm but if I get another I cant see any reason to change what I am doing, I will just make sure the activity can be tailored to the individuals or that we do more than one activity to include them.

Keep an eye out for LEA courses, I went on one for planning and obs and it made so much more sense! It was then I was told to keep planning fluid and change it daily according to what you do. Also dont forget to write down all the stuff the kids do themselves, thats child led and shows you are giving them room to develop.

**sarah707** · 14-10-2009, 04:59 PM

Have you seen the posts including post on this thread Louise?

http://childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum/...ad.php?t=23417

It might help

**patevans** · 14-10-2009, 05:06 PM

Thanks Sarah I think I already have that document!!

I just cant seem to bring it all together

why am I struggling so much

**grindal** · 14-10-2009, 05:22 PM

Hi
I make myself a big spider diagram on some A5 paper. I write whatever theme/topic we are gonna do then I write out the 6 areas of learning around the paper. Under each heading i come up with a few ideas that fit with the theme - I only plan for one at the mo- but if I was doing more would prob use diff coloured pen on the same bit of paper. I make sure that if my plans are a next step from previous obs I make clear what it refers to, but not all the plans do. Then I put any planned activities into my diary.

**patevans** · 14-10-2009, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by grindal

Hi
I make myself a big spider diagram on some A5 paper. I write whatever theme/topic we are gonna do then I write out the 6 areas of learning around the paper. Under each heading i come up with a few ideas that fit with the theme - I only plan for one at the mo- but if I was doing more would prob use diff coloured pen on the same bit of paper. I make sure that if my plans are a next step from previous obs I make clear what it refers to, but not all the plans do. Then I put any planned activities into my diary.

So do you incorporate the next steps into the theme or just one of the areas for that month? Do you have next steps for every observation?

**sarah707** · 14-10-2009, 05:35 PM

Observations don't always need next steps!

Some just stand alone as good observations.

With individual planning, you will use observations of what the child does / enjoys etc to plan.

With group planning, you can use observations to guide how you plan for each child. You do it automatically, you just need to get it on paper in a way that makes sense for you.

hth

**nannymcflea** · 14-10-2009, 06:49 PM

Like Sarah says,theres no right or wrong with next steps/planning,you need to find a format that works for you. You are certainly not stupid or alone.

I bet you know more than you realise or are giving yourself credit for.

If you did a quick ob on a child when playing with playdoh and saw the child was making balls and rolling them...you could write that down and underneath put the next steps as...more sensory activities...shapes...lots of different balls to roll,perhaps down a slide.

Next steps are finding where you think that child could go,as you have seen what holds that childs interest...and I bet you could fit those next steps into the EYFS...CD,PSRN...etc.

Then you do another ob and find out where you can go next....

Don't think it has to be hard,it doesn't, I do things the simple way!

**patevans** · 14-10-2009, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by nannymcflea

Like Sarah says,theres no right or wrong with next steps/planning,you need to find a format that works for you. You are certainly not stupid or alone.

I bet you know more than you realise or are giving yourself credit for.

If you did a quick ob on a child when playing with playdoh and saw the child was making balls and rolling them...you could write that down and underneath put the next steps as...more sensory activities...shapes...lots of different balls to roll,perhaps down a slide.

Next steps are finding where you think that child could go,as you have seen what holds that childs interest...and I bet you could fit those next steps into the EYFS...CD,PSRN...etc.

Then you do another ob and find out where you can go next....

Don't think it has to be hard,it doesn't, I do things the simple way!

I understand how to do the next steps but dont understand how to incorporate (sp) them into the "theme" planning or group planning etc. I am more of a practical person where I need to see it done to understand it

I am not good with written things

**sarah707** · 14-10-2009, 08:23 PM

You have planned for Red Nose Day.

Your group planning shows that all the chidlren will...

- wear something red - it will show you are working with parents etc

- choose and eat a red snack

Ok, so off you go to the shops, but you know from working with parents and previous info that Jane isn't keen on cherries... you will suggest she chooses cranberries to try those instead.

- do red pictures including mixing paint

Ok, now, from his obs you know that John does not like getting his fingers wet, so you will encourage him to mix red paint with a brush.

Jane on the other hand just loves messy play and will finger paint all afternoon.

Janet is only 1, so how can you include her? She might enjoy doing some red footprints - she liked that sensory experience last time you did it with her.

You have done your group planning... AND you have thought about the children's individual needs at the same time.

Does that make more sense?

**jeanybeany** · 14-10-2009, 09:13 PM

Louise get the EYFS book by Penni Tassonni it will help you, she shows you some simple planning ideas in the back of the book.

Don't read too much into this planning stuff-you know what you are doing so don't over complicate it!

I start with my theme/topic/subject for the month.
Then I list any important dates e.g mothers day etc
Then spider diagram ideas from searching web etc (like others have said)
Transfer activities to weekly planning sheet (p tassoni book) along with anything else were doing eg toddlers
Then do individual planning for each child-adjusting activities from plans to fit for the month to cover six areas (I choose one target for each). If not achieved I carry it over to next month. Observe a couple to show child can do it or just comment on sticky note and transfer into learning journey. Do next steps (could be new target). Leave spaces so you can note changes of activities etc and once in a while send a sheet home for parents to complete about likes/dislikes incorporate into planning.

Done as far as I am concerned!

I hope you find this useful

**Pauline** · 14-10-2009, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by jeanybeany

Louise get the EYFS book by Penni Tassonni it will help you, she shows you some simple planning ideas in the back of the book.

This book is in the fundraising Auction which I hope to start next week

**patevans** · 15-10-2009, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by sarah707

You have planned for Red Nose Day.

Your group planning shows that all the chidlren will...

- wear something red - it will show you are working with parents etc

- choose and eat a red snack

Ok, so off you go to the shops, but you know from working with parents and previous info that Jane isn't keen on cherries... you will suggest she chooses cranberries to try those instead.

- do red pictures including mixing paint

Ok, now, from his obs you know that John does not like getting his fingers wet, so you will encourage him to mix red paint with a brush.

Jane on the other hand just loves messy play and will finger paint all afternoon.

Janet is only 1, so how can you include her? She might enjoy doing some red footprints - she liked that sensory experience last time you did it with her.

You have done your group planning... AND you have thought about the children's individual needs at the same time.

Does that make more sense?

Yep will try to do a rough one later

**HELEN10** · 15-10-2009, 07:57 AM

Hi just wanted to ask to you have to be a certain colour member to gain access to Louise's thread Sarah? Won't let me look, says don't have permission.

HELEN10

**primula** · 15-10-2009, 12:34 PM

Hi Sarah,
I couldnt seem to open the link either? not sure what pm means can you advise me! thanks.

**Pauline** · 15-10-2009, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by celia

I couldnt seem to open the link either? not sure what pm means can you advise me! thanks.

The link is to a private area of the site that can only be accessed once you are a green member.

Details of becoming a green member are explained in the Member Information section, in the thread called: Red, Amber Green - membership ranks explained.

A PM, is a Private Message, these can be accessed just under where you log in, you can send private messages to other members.

You will soon get the hang of everything

Hope that helps.

**Alz** · 15-10-2009, 07:18 PM

Still trying to get my head around planning too...finding this thread v interesting!!

My mindee seems to be into EVERYTHING so have no idea where to start from with individual planning with her. She seems to just put everything in her mouth for 3 seconds and is then onto the next thing!

Like your way of doing things Jeanybeany!!