Butler Buzz
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The Butler Method: Simplifying Programming and Reflection in Early Childhood Education and Care
The Butler Method is a streamlined approach to programming and reflection in ECEC, designed to bring clarity, efficiency, and compliance to the often complex planning cycle. It is a boxed method that values intentional teaching while embracing spontaneous learning moments, seamlessly aligning with Frameworks. By offering a structured yet flexible approach, the Butler Method supports educators in meeting the requirements of NQS while also incorporating the insights of key educational theorists.
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Understanding the Stages of Social and Emotional Development in Children: A Guide for Early Childhood Educators
Social and emotional development forms the foundation for how children understand themselves, interact with others, and navigate their emotions. In this post, we’ll explore the key stages of social and emotional development, link them to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Theorists and provide tips for creating a program that supports this development, with guidance on how to effectively record your efforts. -
How Do I Create a Play-Based Learning Program?
Creating a play-based learning program is not just about facilitating play but harnessing its potential to foster holistic development. In this post, we’ll guide you through creating a play-based learning program and offer tips for recording it effectively.
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A Peek into the Early Childhood Cook Diary for ECEC with Examples
Here's we take a peek into the Early Childhood Cook Diary to see how it can help cook's and chef's in Early Childhood manage their kitchens and stay on top of compliance. -
A Look into the Children's Centre Diary with Examples
Here's we take a look at the Children's Centre Diary to see how it can be used to streamline your admin and help manage your office. -
A Deep Dive into the Nominated Supervisor Diary with Examples
Here's we take a deep dive into the Nominated Supervisor Diary to see how it can be used to improve efficiency, memory and quality improvement in your service.
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How to complete the Exceeding Guidance for National Quality Standard: Evidence Summary
The Exceeding Guidance for NQS Evidence Summary is designed to support you in succeeding at exceeding with guides to exceeding themes and evidence pages for national quality standards. Each quality area is followed by an evidence page that captures details of the evidence you've collected, where it is kept, and which element it relates to. -
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 - will this impact your Assessment? The Short Answer - Nope! The Long Answer - No, this will not impact your Assessment and Rating if you show what you actually did and why. Here are some tips!
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Tips for Programming for Babies in the Weekly Programming and Reflection Diaries
The Weekly Programming and Reflection Diaries are designed to capture programs from babies through to school aged children. Slightly adapting the way you approach programming is what will help you complete your program. This article will support you to implement the Butler Method for younger age groups.
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Supporting Families to Understand the Butler Method: Free Parent Information on Butler Diaries
Embark on a shared journey of learning and growth with families by downloading our free Parent Information on Butler Diaries factsheet that supports families understand programming, the Butler Method, the benefits of written records, and how to read and participate in your program. -
2025 Family Day Care Compliance Diary: What's New
We collected your feedback over 2024 and made some changes to the 2025 Family Day Care Compliance Checklist Diary. We have now jam packed more of your compliance needs into the same Diary while reducing how bulky it is! Sounds impossible we know, but we did it! Here we go through the changes and give you some examples... -
Free QKLG Download: Embedding QKLG into Practice Educator Summary Poster
We delve into the significance of integrating the QKLG into practice and explore the practical application of the Continua of Learning and Development. We've also included a free download, "Embedding QKLG Educator Summary" to support you in your programming, reflections and practice. -
Where to find examples of the OSHC Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary?
We have a ton of examples and support available for our Weekly Programming and Reflection Diaries... here's how to find them. -
FAQs on the OSHC Diary
The OSHC Diary is a compliance tool for those working in Outside School Hours Care. It captures medical notifications, birthdays and celebrations, children leaving for activities, casual bookings and cancellations, family communication and visitor sign-ins. This means much of your compliance requirements are recorded in the one place and OSHC Educators and Leaders have a daily glance of what's happening inside the service to support supervision, children's inclusion and legal requirements. -
Free EYLF Download: Embedding V2 Educator Summary Poster
With the release of the Early Years Learning Framework Version 2 (EYLF V2) and My Time Our Place Framework Version 2 (MTOP V2), educators have a powerful tool at their disposal to enhance the learning experiences of young children. In this guide, we delve into the significance of V2 and offer insights into effectively embedding it into practice. We've also included a free download, "Embedding V2 Educator Summary" to support you in your programming, reflections and practice. -
A Quick Guide to the Educational Leader Diary with Examples
The Educational Leader Diary when used correctly acts as a Reflection Tool and shows how critical reflection is being used within the team to improve outcomes for children. It demonstrates and captures evidence of the role of the Educational Leader and the work they are doing to support Educators. Here's a quick guide to the Educational Leader Diary to maximise the way it's being used in your service. -
FAQs on the Weekly Programming and Reflection Child Educator Diary
Have some questions on how the Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary can best be used to show the cycle of planning and children's goals? Wondering how to use it and show evidence for Assessment and Rating... all your information is here. -
Your job simplified...
For just $1.15 a week you can simplify your job or enjoy just 2 apples a week... not even an apple a day... The key to the Weekly Programming and Reflection Child Educator Diary comes down to saving. With our experience in ECEC and customer and assessor feedback, we have designed and perfected the Butler Method designed to save in more ways than one. -
"Streamline practice and compliance": A Case Study
We asked our wonderful long term customers, Angel Tots Early Learning Centre, to share with us how Butler Diaries are used inside their service and they provided some amazing insights into compliance, streamlining practice, and creating tailored and individualised programs for the children in their care. -
ACECQA OSHC Documentation Changes
By now, you've probably heard about the changes to OSHC Documentation that came into effect as of 1 July 2023 for South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria (for Western Australia check legislation for commencement date). We know! So many changes to tackle in one year! But don't worry, we are here to support you and reduce compliance confusion.
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Critical Reflection Prompts for Early Childhood Educators
As an educator in an early learning centre, you have the opportunity to impact the lives of young children and help shape their future. You are not just a teacher, but also a caregiver and role model for these children. With this great responsibility comes the need for critical reflection on your practice as an educator.
Reflecting on your practice means taking time to critically examine your actions, thoughts, and feelings about your work with children. This process can help you identify areas where you can improve, as well as areas where you are doing well.
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MTOP and EYLF Planning Cycle Explained: V2.0
Here we have another article from our EYLF and MTOP V2.0 Series that explains the MTOP and EYLF V2.0 Planning Cycle. As well as explaining the EYLF Planning Cycle, we break down the process and walk you through examples.
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Updated EYLF and MTOP V2.0 Learning Outcomes for your Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary
Your Programming and Reflection Pack just got bigger! Not only does it include Print-Ready Photo Evidence for your Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary, but it now also includes an Updated EYLF and MTOP V2.0 Learning Outcome template so you can start using the V2.0 Frameworks now. Yes, we are continuing the goal of no more sticky fingers!
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The Evidence Behind the Culturally Responsive Calendar
Our Culturally Responsive Year is a monthly calendar designed to highlight the culturally competent and responsive practices carried out in the ECE Setting. It is a monthly reminder to actively involve children in cultural practices and activities as well as a record of the experiences for parents and assessors to view. It supports you to "build it in" rather than "bolt it on" to your program and practice. Write stories, draw pictures, or stick in photos to document your month and maintain a record of experiences for parents and assessors to view. -
Tips for Reflecting on Intentional Teaching
Intentional teaching involves "deliberate, purposeful and thoughtful" decisions in your environments, interactions and children's learning. The documentation you keep must show intentional teaching practices at its core. Here we break down Intentional Teaching Strategies and reflecting on these in your Weekly Programming and Reflection Diaries. -
"Beautiful and Visually Appealing": A Case Study
We love seeing the different ways educators are adding their own personality to their documentation. We checked out the Torquay Kids' teams Diaries and saw how educators are using different methods such as highlighting and photos to complete planning and reflections. -
"It's doing your work for you" A Case Study
"I don't know where it has been all my life."
Leanne is a veteran Educator in the industry for nearly 40 years. As a relief worker, she visits many centres with different philosophies and practices. When asked about her practice and method, she points to the Butler Method supporting her in her programming and practice. Leanne feels the Butler Method has simplified her documentation and helped her meet her obligations. She has described the diary as doing her work for her.
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The Importance of Critical Reflection in Early Childhood Education
Critical reflection – the process of carefully evaluating the outcomes of our actions – can help us to improve our educational methods, and thus to better meet the needs of the children in our care. Critical reflection is a skill that comes with time and experience, but it’s well worth putting in the effort to hone it, as it will help you to continuously learn and improve your practice over time. Read on to find out more about how you can apply critical reflection in your early childhood education centre. -
Print Ready Photo Evidence for your Weekly Programming and Reflection Child Educator Diary
We have created print ready photo templates to make providing photo evidence easier. They are the perfect size to print and stick into your Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary. The Design is drag and drop friendly and works with Free Canva Accounts. Learn more... -
Unpacking the New EYLF V 2.0 and MTOP V 2.0 Frameworks
Updates to the EYLF and MTOP have been released in 2023. The new Approved Learning Frameworks will be recognised alongside the 2012 Frameworks until early 2024 in which V2.0 will replace V1.0. Here we unpack the changes to support you in your planning, QIP and reflective discussions to get ready for the changes. -
Compliance Information and Butler Diaries for your Childcare Service
In Early Childhood Education and Outside School Hours Care Services, you are obligated to comply with regulations, laws, and be governed by best practice. This can easily lead to compliance confusion and leave you unsure of how to best meet your obligations as a service provider in Australia. Butler Diaries is here to support you in simplifying your compliance documentation to minimise confusion and provide you with a simple to use system for staying compliant with your documentation.
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Rated Exceeding "The Department Love It": A Case Study
We were lucky enough to be invited into Brady Bunch at Hervey Bay. This is one of their three Queensland centres with another three down South. The absolutely wonderful team took us through their service and how they achieved an Exceeding Rating. Brady Bunch completely flipped their planning and programming method and introduced the Butler Method is 2021.
