The following is an overview of my setting, what my practice involves and how children learn whilst in my care. I reflect on my ideas and the changes that are happening in early years education.

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TMA01  -Myself, My Setting & My Roles and Responsibilities,

Introduction(36)

The following is an overview of my setting, what my practice involves and how children learn whilst in my care.  I reflect on my ideas and the changes that are happening in early years education.

My Setting(335)

My setting is a private playgroup in a London borough.  The building is a scout hut and used by other members of the community. Each day all equipment and resources (including tables and chairs) have to be put out before the children arrive and away after they leave.  There is a small storage area and an outside area with soft rubberized flooring.  Fabrics and posters are hung on walls to create a welcoming, learning environment and display panels detail children’s learning journeys. The setting is registered for a maximum of 26 children between the ages of 2 – 5 (although the majority leave to attend nursery school), for 3 hours per session, opening 39 weeks per year.   Local authority nursery schools have changed their intake policy to September (from previously staggered throughout the year) for all children who turn 4 within that school year, this has affected the ages and numbers of children in my setting has reduced.

There is a diverse mix of children from different social and ethnic backgrounds, the majority of children live close by.  Some children have English as a second language. The setting is available to all members of the community and holds strong links with local primary schools, to aid children’s transition from playgroup to nursery school.  Teachers visit us to meet the children and we visit them in return.  

The setting has 5 members of staff all of which are qualified to level 3 including myself and all hold a current paediatric first aid certificate.  I am one of 4 preschool assistants who are responsible to the play leader and the owner/manager.  All staff work as a team, and are key workers to approximately 6 children each.  The owner/manager works alongside the other staff but is also responsible for finances and keeping policies & procedures up to date. The play leader is responsible for long term planning but all personnel have input and are able to make suggestions freely, day to day planning is shared equally.

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My Responsibilities(319)

Reading roles in the workplace (study topic 1 p12 –p13) made me realise the diverse responsibilities I undertake within my role (See appendix 1 for full list).  My principal responsibility is always to ensure the children’s well-being. As a key worker I build secure relationships with my key children to enable them to develop and learn as detailed in the EYFS Principles into Practice Cards DCSF,2007a,card 2.3, ‘…warm trusting relationships with knowledgeable adults support children’s learning more effectively than any amount of resources…’(KU3).  I do this by being warm and approachable and creating an inclusive ...

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