Children contribute to short-term planning - Pollok Children's Centre

About the nursery

Pollok Children’s Centre has a high proportion of boys who are boisterous and require a more active approach to learning. Staff planning meetings had looked at what interested these children, in order to engage them more in activities. However, staff had conflicting ideas about what the children liked and a topic was usually selected based on what the majority of staff thought the children liked.

When staff looked closely at the planning procedure, they realised that they were not involving children in the process. An HMIE report had also identified this as an area for development.

Staff recognised a need to seek more input from children on the learning opportunities offered to them at the centre.

Aims of the project

The staff's aims were for children to take more responsibility for themselves, their learning, and to be more respectful to others. Staff felt this would have a positive impact on the children’s self-esteem and behaviour and would in turn promote citizenship and enterprise within the curriculum.

It was agreed to involve the 4-year-old (pre-school) children and provide them with a chance to take an active part in planning their own learning by encouraging them to contribute their own ideas and suggestions on activities at the centre. These would form the focus for the short-term plan.