Observation, Assessment, and Planning: Supporting Early Years Learning

Develop practical skills to observe, assess, and plan effectively in nursery settings.
Support children’s growth with personalised, inclusive strategies that align
with developmental goals and inspire meaningful learning for ages 0-5.

Your Guide to Observation, Assessment, and Planning

Observe with
Confidence

Develop the skills to observe children naturally during their play, capturing meaningful details to understand their behaviours, interests, and development.

Create Reliable Assessments

Learn how to transform observations into unbiased, factual assessments that celebrate every child’s unique progress and align with professional standards.

Plan Activities
That Inspire Learning

Discover how to create engaging, purposeful activities that stimulate curiosity, creativity, and developmental growth for children aged 0-5.

Reflect and Adapt
with Purpose

Gain practical tools to evaluate what works, adapt plans, and respond to children’s changing needs, ensuring activities stay relevant and impactful.

Strengthen Developmental Support

Understand how to identify and nurture key areas of development, from social and cognitive growth to motor skills and emotional resilience.

Meet Professional Standards

Enhance your professional skills with reflective practices that help you continuously improve your schema-based support, creating a richer, more responsive learning environment for all children.

Course Information

How To
Course Modules
Duration
Assessments
Disclaimer

Step 1
Click the 'Launch Course' button to begin your learning journey. Work through all the course content at your own pace, ensuring you fully understand each section. Don’t forget to complete and pass each module’s assessment. Once you’ve successfully completed all the modules, your course progress will show as 100% completed.

Step 2
Congratulations on completing the course! Your next step is to click the 'Feedback Form' button. Take a moment to share your thoughts on the course. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us continuously improve the learning experience for future users.

Step 3
You’ve now unlocked your personalised certificate! Click the 'View Certificate' button below to access and download your certificate. Celebrate your achievement by sharing it with your employer or adding it to your professional records.

This course is designed to take approximately 45 minutes to complete, though the actual time may vary depending on how deeply you engage with the material. Everyone learns at their own pace, so take the time you need to fully understand each concept.


Time Breakdown:

Module 1 should take around 20 minutes to complete.

Module 2 should take around 25 minutes to complete.


To get the most out of this course, focus on absorbing the content rather than rushing through it. Reflect on the material, take notes, and think about how you can apply these insights to your daily practice. Meaningful learning is about understanding and growth, not just finishing quickly.

To successfully complete this course, you’ll need to achieve a score of 80% or higher on the final assessments at the end of each module. This course has 2 modules so there are 2 assessments. The landing page of each assessment will give further details. This pass mark ensures that you’ve understood the core concepts and are prepared to confidently apply them in practice.

You’re not limited to a single attempt - feel free to take the assessments as many times as you need to achieve your best result. Each assessment includes built-in feedback to help you reflect on your answers and deepen your understanding.

If you encounter any questions or need additional support, our experienced team is here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance or clarification as you progress through the course. Remember, the assessments are designed to support your learning journey, not to cause stress. Take your time and aim for mastery!
All our courses are regularly reviewed and updated to align with the latest statutory guidance, legislation, and best practices in early years education. However, it is the responsibility of individual practitioners and organisations to ensure the training meets the specific requirements of their Local Authority or regulatory body. Local policies and procedures may differ, and additional training may be required to fully comply with their standards.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the course content, we cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors resulting from practitioners misinterpreting or failing to apply the guidance provided. Practitioners are expected to act within the boundaries of their role and adhere to professional and organisational guidelines at all times.

We maintain the integrity and validity of our courses by continually updating content to reflect changes in legislation, policies, and procedures. This course also includes public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, ensuring the information is accurate, accessible, and credible.

Module 1: Understanding the Importance of Observations

This module introduces the purpose and value of observations in early years practice. You’ll learn to recognise the role of observations in understanding children’s development, behaviours, and interests, providing the foundation for effective planning and assessment.


Module 2: Techniques for Effective Observations and Assessments
This module focuses on translating observations into practical, actionable steps. You’ll explore how to create tailored plans, ensure assessments are fair and useful, and adapt your approach to support each child’s unique developmental journey.

Our students love us  

"This course was eye-opening! I now feel confident in planning for children’s learning using structured observations and assessments."
— Megan T.
"A great course that simplifies observation and assessment. It’s given me the tools to create more meaningful learning experiences."
— Laura S.