Children’s work is documented and displayed. Children’s artwork, models, collections that children have made are displayed at both adults’ and children’s eye-levels and eventually inserted in each individuals’ portfolio. We also communicate with parents on a daily basis, using a password-secured online portal (web application) where descriptions, observations, photos and videos of their child are shared. The app also supports a daily timed schedule of feeding, sleeping, toileting and nappy changing times of the children.

Documentation is necessary for children to revisit, build-upon and reconstruct feelings, ideas and understandings. This helps the children trace their words and actions – making a path of their learning process. Concepts and hypotheses are presented in multiple forms; and media such as print, art, models, drama, music, puppetry and shadow play – all help towards this. These multiple experiences are considered essential to a child’s understanding.

Documentation also helps us evaluate, on an individual level, the progress of a child and plan ahead the different ‘contexts’ that are needed towards the next steps. All this information helps us respond most effectively to the child’s individual needs.

Documentation also informs parents of their child’s activities and development – it provides a tangible proof of the happenings within the childcare centre environment. This also stimulates discussion between the parents and carers – a necessary tool for all parties to learn from.