Effective Practice
What is Effective Practice?
Effective Practice is about ensuring that all children get optimum benefit from their experiences in the EYFS. This apparently simple outcome can only be achieved when adults work together to get to know the children so that they can support their play, development and learning.
Principles in Practice
In the Revised EYFS Effective Practice is based around putting the themes and principles of the EYFS into practice so that children get the very best experiences while they are being cared for outside of their own homes.
Parents and Professionals
The role of parents is of prime importance because these are the people who know most about their children and have their best interests at heart. Practitioners working in partnership across services can provide professional support and guidance to one another and to parents either by signposting information or by being more directly involved – everybody’s contribution will make a difference to children’s learning and development.
Child, Relationships, Environment, Learning & Development
The four themes of the Revised EYFS are; A Unique Child, Positive Relationships, Enabling Environments and Learning and Development. The themes and principles describe the features of practice on which the EYFS is based. They emphasise that the child is of first importance and that all relationships, experiences and the environment together influence how the child will develop, play and learn.
A Unique Child
Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
Practitioners
- understand and observe each child’s development and learning, assess progress, plan for next steps
- support babies and children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture
- identify any need for additional support
- keep children safe
- value and respect all children and families equally
Positive Relationships
Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
Positive Relationships are:
- warm and loving, and foster a sense of belonging
- sensitive and responsive to the child’s needs, feelings and interests
- supportive of the child’s own efforts and independence
- consistent in setting clear boundaries
- stimulating
- built on key person relationships in early years settings
Enabling Environments
Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.
Enabling Environments
- value all people
- value learning
They offer
- stimulating resources, relevant to all the children’s cultures and communities
- rich learning opportunities through play and playful teaching
- support for children to take risks and explore
Learning and Development
Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Practitioners teach children by ensuring challenging, playful opportunities across the prime and specific areas of learning and development.
They foster the characteristics of effective early learning
- Playing and exploring
- Active learning
- Creating and thinking critically
From Development Matters in the EYFS
Further Information about Effective Practice
Including all Children
In the Early Years Foundation Stage the diversity of individuals and communities is valued and respected. No child or family is discriminated against. In practice this means that children should be treated fairly regardless of race, religion or their abilities. It is based on the premise that all children are entitled to enjoy a full life in conditions which will help them take part in society and develop as an individual, with their own cultural and spiritual beliefs. This encourages children to recognise their own unique qualities and the characteristics they share with other children and actively promotes equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice, so that all children and families feel included, safe and valued. This includes listening to families and taking part in sensitive two-way exchanges of information. Where appropriate, it is knowing when and how to call in specialist help as early as possible.
FAQs
What is Effective Practice? Effective Practice is about ensuring that all children get optimum benefit from their experiences in the EYFS. This apparently simple outcome can only be achieved when adults work together to get to know the children so that they can support their play, development and learning.
Why is it important to use effective work practices in childcare? ›
Principles of effective teamwork in childcare help to promote proactive communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Skills such as taking turns, listening skills, teamwork, conflict resolution and leadership are essential elements of every child's growth.
What is the definition of effective practice? ›
We define effective practice as: where we see our standards delivered well, in practice.
What is effective practice examples? ›
Ten Examples of Good Practice in the Early Years
- Strong effective leadership and management: ...
- Engaging learning environments. ...
- High-quality teaching:
- Quality interactions and effective communication: ...
- Language and communication development: ...
- Meaningful observations and assessments: ...
- Inclusive practice:
Some of an Early Years Practitioner's roles and responsibilities will include: Looking after the health and wellbeing of the child, such as feeding babies and changing their nappies. Observing children's progress and development, and keeping record of this to collaborate and communicate with parents.
How can I improve my childcare practice? ›
Building Partnerships
- provide children feedback about their learning.
- use conversations to create shares meaning with children.
- establish positive interactions and promote shared understandings.
- promote working in teams and why.
- involve parents/community meaningfully and collaboratively in learning experiences.
The eight principles are: intention, authenticity, planning, clarity, monitoring and assessment, reflection, evaluation, and acknowledgment.
What does best practices mean in childcare? ›
Best practice means striving beyond delivering the basic legal requirements that are required to own and run a childcare centre. We constantly critically reflecting to review and update our qualifications, our programs, educator to child ratio and our first aid requirements.
What is the most important aspect of working with children in an early learning setting? ›
You are the most important part of the early learning environment. Offering young children calm, nurturing, and predictable social and emotional environments, and promoting their self-regulation skills, helps them feel safe and secure so they can learn, play, and grow.
Why is it important for early childhood professionals to engage in developmentally appropriate practices? ›
Professionals in developmentally appropriate programs are interested in the social and cultural backgrounds of the children and families in their care. They use what they learn about their children to aid them in planning activities that are meaningful, relevant and respectful.
The more efficient you are with your practice time, the more focused your sessions, the more quickly you'll learn and the faster you'll excel. When it comes to learning new skills, students can often get discouraged with their progress, but it's important to realize that learning skills can take time - and that's ok!
What type of practice is most effective? ›
Merely repeating a task will not automatically improve performance. Deliberate practice is most effective when it involves intense concentration, rehearsal and reflection.
What are the three characteristics of effective teaching and learning? ›
Introduce the three characteristics of effective teaching and learning:
- playing and exploring.
- active learning.
- creating and critical thinking.
Definition. Set of strategies and instructional methods that characterize the interaction between teachers and students in the classroom, which are meant to promote learning, as well as develop and manage pupil's behaviour.
What is safe and effective practice? ›
A person's capacity for safe and effective practice is established by meeting two criteria: • the standards of proficiency; and • the good health and good character requirements.
What is effective teaching and learning practices? ›
Effective/good teachers demonstrate the correct way to solve a problem. Instruction should be built around problems with clear, correct answers, and around ideas that most students can grasp quickly. How much students learn depends on how much background knowledge they have; that is why teaching facts is so necessary.
Which practice is most effective for learning? ›
Deliberate practice is most effective when it involves intense concentration, rehearsal and reflection. For that reason, students are more likely to benefit from frequent, short practice sessions than from long "cramming" sessions.
