Skip to content

Welcome guest

Please login or register
A Plan is a Guide Right? What Happens if you Don't Complete your Entire Program that Day?

A Plan is a Guide Right? What Happens if you Don't Complete your Entire Program that Day?

We saw a question raised in a Facebook group, if the department were to visit and you had not completed your program for the day or had completed different experiences than what was written - will this impact your Assessment?

The Short Answer

Nope! This will not impact your Assessment if approached correctly.

The Long Answer

No, this will not impact your Assessment and Rating if you show what you actually did and why.

For example, you may have programmed a game of snap to extend on children's card game interests from the previous week. However, once it was time for group time, the children requested The Very Hungry Caterpillar story instead. Your program shows a game of snap at group time but you actually read a story.

So, how do you approach this? This is exactly what your reflection spread is for. You would document what occurred in the example above and reflect on the change in your program to follow a child-led experience. The reflection will help us understand why this change occurred - were they just not interested in snap? Are they showing an interest in books? Or is it the specific book they requested?

What happens next? You would use this information in your reflection spread to plan for the following week. Depending on whether the children's interest was based on the act of story reading or the Very Hungry Caterpillar itself (this question would be hypothesised or answered in your reflection) you would plan for the following week to meet this interest. Your program may show more stories at group time or may show a Very Hungry Caterpillar extension.

A program is simply a plan - it is your intention. What you PLAN to do and what you ACTUALLY do are very likely to change when you plan ahead and of course, in Early Childhood we plan ahead based on the cycle of planning. A successful, child-led program will show variations and changes as children's interests emerge and extend throughout the week.

Remember, children's interests - their voice - should be the foundation of your program. We aim not to rush children and to follow their lead which can lead to time running out to complete certain activities, changes in interest, or any other number of things.

An analogy. We saw a great analogy - a program is like an itinerary to a holiday you've booked. You have some great plans of what you're going to do each day and when but when you're actually on that holiday it changes due to interest, time restrictions, availability, etc.

So, What's the Key to a Great Program?

Pre-plan using the planning cycle BUT prepare to be flexible, to change, AND to explain why you changed, reflect on these changes, and use these changes to create the following week's program.

The Butler Method simplifies this process with our week program spread followed by a reflection spread which will form the foundation of the following week's program making your cycle of planning visible to all - families, educators AND assessors.

Example Program Ideas for Babies with Links to EYLF V2
The Family Day Care Educator Diary for Family Day Care Educators

Latest Articles

  • How to Do Programming in Childcare: A Comprehensive Summary Using EYLF v.2

    How to Do Programming in Childcare: A Comprehensive Summary Using EYLF v.2

    Programming in ECEC involves creating and implementing a curriculum that supports children’s learning and development. It's essential to align your programming practices with the new standards to ensure high-quality education and care. Here's a breakdown to support you.

  • Empowering Children's Voices: The 'Children's Voices Diary' from Butler Diaries

    Empowering Children's Voices: The 'Children's Voices Diary' from Butler Diaries

    In Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), fostering children's agency is a fundamental principle of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and My Time, Our Place Framework (MTOP). Encouraging children to express their thoughts, feelings, and reflections not only builds their confidence but also strengthens their sense of belonging and identity. The Children’s Voices Diary from Butler Diaries has been designed with this in mind, providing an engaging and structured way for children to document their experiences, thoughts, and aspirations. See how this Diary can foster children's development, learning, and overall wellbeing, as well as support your program.

  • Top 5 Programming Methods for Early Childhood Education and Care

    Top 5 Programming Methods for Early Childhood Education and Care

    Effective programming in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is essential for ensuring quality learning experiences and meeting the diverse needs of children. With the introduction of EYLF v.2.0, educators are increasingly seeking structured yet flexible programming methods that support documentation, critical reflection, and compliance. Here, we count down the top five programming methods, culminating in the best solution for early childhood professionals.

Your Cart

Join the 35,000+ customers who have trusted Butler Diaries to help them in their roles.

Your Cart is empty
Let's fix that

Powered by Omni Themes