I have also heard:

“It’s attention to detail that makes the difference between average and stunning” 

We continually evaluate what we do, but maybe make the mistake of believing a ‘stunning performance’ is something only to aspire to and not to be achieved.

To achieve stunning and be great, you have to put effort and focus on excellence.

The thing is, when we work with children, all the operators of our EYFS systems and policies, are humans with individual strengths and weaknesses.  These are related to their aptitudes, attributes, abilities, instincts, training, experience, knowledge, practical ability, flexibility, conscientiousness, sense of responsibility ……

These can be positively desirable, but for full effect, they need to be targeted towards the same path and goal. Also, to get things achieved in the time available.

We can only measure success by historical achievement which may no longer be relevant.  Rather than what is happening by staff now, at this moment in time, as they deliver the EYFS.  This we would aspire; to be excellent and stunning or great, and maybe it would be easier if we felt this was achievable.

So, why should YOU, as a discerning provider of the EYFS, pay attention to detail?

• The best customer service is about, what is known as ‘consistency of delivery’.  The details ensure everyone involved, can do this and therefore, each child, parent and the staff team member benefits and the business does too.
• If your educators can work with the children while they record and plan without interrupting the interaction and learning flow, they will have greater job satisfaction and outcomes for those children will naturally be improved.
• Keeping track of everything ensures that nothing is overlooked and you can put real work into closing the word gap, for example.
• Supporting everyone involved, including parents, means they are able to assess, record and plan thoroughly.  Also, to match against the child’s (or groups) varied interests and needs.
• Differentiating for parents and not just their children ensures that they will have ongoing, appropriate support in how to help their child at home.
• ‘High-Quality Provision’ is sought, as is the recognition of it, by parents, external professionals and regulatory bodies, such as Ofsted. The detail allows standards to be accurately measured.
• Your training needs and areas for improvement can be precisely identified (saving you money!)
• The impact of interventions can be subsequently and accurately measured in a similar way, which will demonstrate improvements in children’s outcomes.
• Tracking staff activity and their self-evaluations ensure every team member is appropriately focused.

Can you really do all of this?
If you can already – hats off to you, you are incredible!
All of the current sparkUSERs can do this. Would you like to?

spark EYFS software avoids lots of traditional long-handed observations including all the grammar, spelling and punctuation errors that may accompany those. Also, the time needed for seniors to check these.  

The detailed EYFS Observational Journey within spark has enabled us to meticulously cross-reference everything* for the educator while the Learning Journey is compiled.  We have thought through processes and set out systems to streamline events. Plus, there is an emphasis on evaluating progress and practice, by adding features for a ‘continuous improvement’ ethos. So, there is a great deal contained in sparkPRO particularly, poised to be taken advantage of and work to be ‘great’.

*sparkESSENTIAL meticulously cross-reference everything to – Areas of Learning, Development Matters Statements or Early Years Outcomes and the Characteristics of Effective Learning. sparkPRO also cross-references observations to the Sustained Shared Thinking Strands and ECaT. Plus, there are evaluative tools to assess the quality of teaching.