DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving Elements of competence CCLD 411.1 Facilitate the assessment and support of children’s exploration and problem solving skills CCLD 411.2 Facilitate the assessment and support of children’s mathematical learning CCLD 411.3 Support the monitoring, evaluation and planning of improvements to support children’s mathematical development, exploration, and problem solving About this Unit This Unit is about evaluating and supporting children's early mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving. The Unit is closely linked to early education settings where the main purpose is children’s care, learning and development, but could be applicable in other circumstances. Each home country has different curriculum and assessment frameworks for early education and you should approach this Unit in the context of the requirements of your home country. This Unit is for you if you are involved in the evaluation and support of children's early mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving, either as a manager or lead/senior practitioner or if you work in support of others and have significant responsibility for supporting children, families, colleagues and other adults within the setting or service. It may also be appropriate for you if you work in support of other professionals with specific expertise in particular areas concerning children's development. Keywords What we mean by some of the words used in this Unit Children Children with whom you work, except where additional requirements are indicated Exploration Look into and find out about, thoroughly examine something, such as objects, ideas, people ICT (Information Communication Technology) Examples are computers, calculators, electronic devices, audiovisual equipment, programmable toys, digital cameras Problem solving Finding solutions for problems, early mathematical thinking and development Reflective practice The process of thinking about and critically analysing your actions with the goal of changing and improving occupational practice Unit: DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving 1 DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving Evidence Requirements for the Unit It is essential that you adhere to the Evidence Requirements for this Unit GENERAL GUIDANCE Evidence must be provided for ALL of the performance criteria and ALL of the knowledge. Work with children and families does not lend itself to a series of fragmented activities. When assessment planning it is essential that assessors and candidates identify opportunities to integrate a number of activities for assessment on any particular occasion. Assessment of knowledge and understanding should wherever possible be carried out during performance to ensure that theory and practice are linked. The evidence must reflect, at all times, the policies and procedures of your workplace as linked to current legislation and the values and the principles for good practice in children’s care, learning and development. All evidence must relate to your own work practice. SPECIFIC EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS UNIT Simulation: Simulation is not permitted for this unit. The following forms of evidence ARE MANDATORY: Direct Observation: Your assessor or expert witness must observe you in real work activities which will provide evidence of some part of each element in this unit. Reflective Accounts: You should describe your actions in a particular situation and explain why you did things. You may be able to use a reflective account to provide some of the performance evidence for this unit. e.g. how you encouraged and supported colleagues to reflect on practice. Issues for consideration: The following performance criteria may be difficult to evidence by observation and/or expert witness testimony. Element 1 – PC’s 2, 4, 6 and 8 Element 2 – PC’s 2, 4, 6 and 8 Element 3 – PC’s 1, 2 and 5 Competence of performance and knowledge could also be demonstrated using a variety of evidence from the following: Questioning/Professional Discussion: Questions may be oral or written. In each case the question and your answer will need to be recorded. Professional discussion should be in the form of a structured review of your practice with the outcomes captured by means of audiotape or a written summary. These are particularly useful to provide evidence that you know and understand principles which support practice, policies, procedures and legislation, and that you can critically evaluate their application e.g. significant theoretical perspectives on children's learning and how these affect your practice, current research relevant to this unit, referral systems and how you encourage and support multi-agency working. In addition the assessor/expert witness may also ask questions to clarify aspects of your practice. Products: These are non-confidential records made, or contributed to, by you, e.g. curriculum plans, assessment documentation, pro forma is for observation, documented procedures for consultation with children and families, monitoring and evaluation findings. Unit: DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving 2 DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving Confidential Records: These may be used as evidence but must not be placed in your portfolio, they must remain in their usual location and be referred to in the assessor records in your portfolio e.g. individual child records, commercial information, inspection reports. Original Certificates and other evidence of prior experience and learning: Where you have relevant prior experience it must match the requirements of the standards. Certificates of training, awards and records of attendance must be authentic, current and valid. Your assessor will also want to check the content of such training so that this can be matched to the standards and check that you have retained and can apply learning to practice, e.g. training relevant to children's mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving, previous childcare or teaching qualifications and units of learning. Case Studies, projects, assignments: These methods are most appropriately used to cover any outstanding areas in the knowledge requirement of your award. You may find assignments or projects will provide useful evidence of your knowledge and understanding of relevant theoretical perspectives, the evidence/research base for your practice. Witness Testimony: Colleagues, allied professionals, children, young people, families and carers may be able to provide testimony of your performance. Your assessor will help you to identify the appropriate use of witnesses. Unit: DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving 3 DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving KNOWLEDGE SPECIFICATION FOR THIS UNIT Assessment of knowledge and understanding should wherever possible be carried out during performance to ensure theory and practice are linked. You need to provide evidence for ALL knowledge points noted below: To be competent in this Unit, you must know and understand the following: 1 The need for confidentiality and care when dealing with sensitive information about children and families. Security arrangements for storing and retrieving information in your setting and the reasons for them. 2 Available national and local guidance to support children’s exploration and problem solving, according to their age, needs and abilities: this will include specific guidance for mathematical development and knowledge and understanding of the world or allied topics, according to the requirements of your own home country 3 Data protection and confidentiality and security of information relevant to your work 4 The requirement for valid and reliable data when making assessments of children's development, what this means, and how it can be implemented 5 Your setting’s processes and procedures for observing, assessing and recording: when and how these link to external requirements or ‘baselines’ or curriculum frameworks followed in your home country 6 The circumstances and rationale for the use of formative and summative assessments within your setting or service 7 Relevant research into the influences on children’s intellectual development and how this research may influence practice 8 The benefits of a multi-agency, multi-professional approach, the range of professionals who work within children's services or who may be relevant to children's services 9 Preferred formats for recording information and rationale for their use 10 Protocols for sharing information 11 The expected pattern of intellectual development for the children with whom you work 12 The role of children's play in mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving and how play maybe integrated into most aspects of provision in ways that are meaningful and enjoyable for children 13 Specific issues for children’s development and learning in multilingual or bilingual settings or where children are learning through an additional language Enter Evidence Numbers Unit: DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving 4 DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving To be competent in this Unit, you must know and understand the following: 14 Strategies to adapt your practice to support the development of mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving for children with whom you work of different gender, ages, needs and abilities, including children with disabilities and special educational needs 15 The types of resources, equipment, activities and experiences that are most productive in the development of mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving, including ICT 16 The importance of involving families and communities and how this can be implemented and organised 17 The importance of involving children in the assessment and development of their learning, according to their age, needs and abilities, and how this can be done 18 Policies, procedures, lines of reporting and accountability, and referral systems that are used in your setting and local area where there are concerns about children and their development 19 Support and training that may be available locally and nationally for those involved in supporting children's mathematical learning, investigation, exploration and problem solving 20 Strategies, systems and procedures for monitoring and evaluating provision for children's investigation, exploration and problem solving, using the planning cycle and recognising the need for continuous improvement Enter Evidence Numbers Unit: DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving 5 DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving CCLD 411.1 Facilitate the assessment and support of children’s exploration and problem solving skills Performance criteria DO 1 Identify where curriculum and assessment framework requirements include exploration and problem solving 2 Support the development of systems to assess children's exploration and problem solving skills 3 Facilitate the recognition of, and response to, children who require additional support 4 Support the assessment of children, using observation and feedback from reliable sources including families and the children themselves 5 Encourage recognition of the different aspects of exploration and problem solving and include in the assessment 6 Encourage the prompt identification and referral of concerns to the appropriate agency or professional 7 Ensure opportunities are taken to extend and develop children's exploration and problem solving skills 8 Support colleagues in determining the need for adequate resources to support children's exploration and problem solving 9 Encourage sensitive interventions to support learning 10 Work with others to adapt practice to ensure equality of access for all children to programmes and activities that support exploration and problem solving 11 Ensure children take part effectively and confidently in activities Enter Evidence Numbers RA EW Q P WT Unit: DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving 6 DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving CCLD 411.2 Facilitate the assessment and support of children’s mathematical learning Performance criteria DO 1 Identify relevant curriculum and assessment framework requirements 2 Support the development of systems to assess children's mathematical learning 3 Facilitate the recognition of, and response to, children who require additional support 4 Support the assessment of children, using observation and feedback from reliable sources including families and the children themselves 5 Encourage recognition of the different aspects of mathematical learning and include in the assessment 6 Encourage the prompt identification and referral of concerns to the appropriate agency or professional 7 Ensure opportunities are taken to extend and develop children's mathematical learning 8 Support colleagues in determining the need for adequate resources to support children's mathematical learning 9 Encourage sensitive interventions to support learning 10 Work with others to adapt practice to ensure equality of access for all children to programmes and activities that support mathematical learning 11 Ensure children take part effectively and confidently in activities Enter Evidence Numbers RA EW Q P WT Unit: DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving 7 DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving CCLD 411.3 Support the monitoring, evaluation and planning of improvements to support children’s mathematical learning, exploration, and problem solving Performance criteria DO 1 Support systems and procedures to monitor and evaluate the development of children's skills 2 Facilitate the development of systems and procedures to evaluate provision to support children's mathematical learning, exploration, and problem solving 3 Support colleagues with the inclusion of children and families in the evaluation, as appropriate to the children's age needs and abilities 4 Identify issues for improvement and plan for continuous development and improvement 5 Promptly refer concerns to the appropriate agency or professional 6 Encourage colleagues to reflect on practice by modelling reflective skills DO = Direct Observation EW = Expert Witness RA = Reflective Account P = Product (Work) Enter Evidence Numbers RA EW Q P WT Q = Questions WT = Witness Testimony Unit: DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving 8 DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving To be completed by the Candidate I SUBMIT THIS AS A COMPLETE UNIT Candidate’s name: …………………………………………… Candidate’s signature: ……………………………………….. Date: ………………………………………………………….. To be completed by the Assessor It is a shared responsibility of both the candidate and assessor to claim evidence, however, it is the responsibility of the assessor to ensure the accuracy/validity of each evidence claim and make the final decision. I CERTIFY THAT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO MEET ALL THE ELEMENTS, PCS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THIS UNIT AND THAT THE CANDIDATE HAS DEMONSTRATED THE APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES AND VALUES. Assessor’s name: ……………………………………………. Assessor’s signature: ……………………………………….... Date: ………………………………………………………….. Assessor/Internal Verifier Feedback To be completed by the Internal Verifier if applicable This section only needs to be completed if the Unit is sampled by the Internal Verifier Internal Verifier’s name: …………………………………………… Internal Verifier’s signature: ……………………………………….. Date: ……………………………………..………………………….. Unit: DR86 04 (CCLD 411) Evaluate, assess and support children’s mathematical learning, exploration and problem solving 9