Long Term Planning

[Guest]

I've tried posting on our designated High/Scope sub-forum, but no-one is talking to me!

 

As a High/Scope setting we don't particularly plan to themes. We focus on the learning environment, seasonal & cultural events and the key experiences as well as children's interests, which obviously you can't plan for far in advance.

 

I'm wondering whether anyone else finds that LTP tends to be more or less the same each year. The Continuous Provision will be pretty much the same. We may adapt the layout a bit. No doubt there will be slightly different cultural events etc, but basically I don't think I need to change much for 2006/7. Does anyone else find the same thing?

[Guest]

I agree Weightman,

In my long term plan, I identify a learning focus, ie wks 1 & 2 are focused on PSE, I plan to focus on a different development area / aspects, over a few weeks, through the year. This doesn't mean other areas are neglected, as the environment layout, routines and continuous provision provides for all 6 areas at all times. It does however ensure there is coverage of every area, but in a holistic way.

 

I have been thinking however that for next year, starting September, I am going to devise a long term plan for the staff, certain responsibilities at certain times of the year ( ie: inventory check), training, when the start planning for Christmas, Easter, Summer specific tasks, when newsletters etc are going out. It is these things that tend to be done 'at the last minute' so I thought if the staff planned when, what and how, then it might not feel so rushed when it comes to doing all these tasks.

So really, what I'm saying is I want to have a clearer long term management / deployment plan as well as a curriculum one.

 

peggy

[Beau]

I too have been slowly moving away from topics in my planning and will be looking at my long term plan for next year soon. I always try to change the focus of my seasonal planning and look at different festivals too. However, it does tend to look pretty much the same each year and this has been complained about by a couple of the parents who have been at the playgroup for more than 2 years. However, I think it is the experiences we give the children that counts for much more and when I see them responding enthusiastically to some of the resources/activities we have introduced I know that I am doing the right thing.

[Guest]

Thank you both, it sounds as if both of you don't plan very differently from me and it's reassuring to know you find LTP a bit 'samey' as well!

[hali]

oh peggy that sounds good for the staff i may do the same.

[Guest]

We have moved away from topic planning this year and have found both children and staff have benefited from it. We are going to look at the seasons, festivals each term and go with the children's interests. So our long term planning is going to change-along the lines of looking at the stepping stones etc and planning for them. It is easier than trying to make activities fit into a topic.

We will just ensure that we have different activities each year on a 3/4 year cycle so that we don't find ourselves repeating things for children who are with us for two years or when there is a continuation with another child.

Linda