Under 5’s examples of good practice

Activities

Use of dice – picture of activity / title of song on face (blank dice available from Consortium)

Picture board of available activities / children’s names on Velcro for the children to choose activity and move their name and place it next to the activity they would like to do. Make sure children have opportunity to opt out of an activity too.

Choice of putting up work up on the wall for display or taking it home.

Before purchasing new toys/resources settings may borrow toys from the toy library so that children can rate the toys and see if they would like to purchase the toys. Photographs of the toys may be taken and children asked to stand by the photo of the toy they would like to have most.

Discussion / look at leaflets posters before deciding where to go on trip. Ranking pictures of activities they would like to do or places they would like to visit.

Let the children record favourite activities/ books/ areas by taking a photo. These may then be used to create ‘profile books’ or ‘All about me’ books and can be used as a stimulus to find out children’s views and keep a record of things they have done in the setting.

Some family centres have encouraged children to develop a booklet to introduce new children to the nursery with a few photos and drawings done by the children. Child friendly camera – little Tikes at Woolworth approx £60.

Puppets – e.g. ask the children to explain to teddy about their family centre/nursery etc

Snack time – choice of healthy snacks drinks, choice of colour cup, children help prepare snacks, food tasting session – children are encouraged to experiment with new foods. Children having free access to water etc

Consultation
Observe children’s play e.g. during free play activity where do they play and what areas are not used by the children if so why? Can promote further discussion and be used to evaluate different areas of the setting.

Evaluating activities using happy / sad faces

Resources for practioners

Wow! This is big.. An early years consultation research project Play train (looking at children’s views/ taking photographs of visits)
Where’s My Peg? A parent and child guide to the first experiences of school ISBN 1 84187 084 6 Save the children (useful ideas / suggestions on settling children in new settings)