Your Child’s Learning Journey

At Brookside, we use Tapestry to create an online Learning Journey celebrating your child's experiences, learning and development during their time with us.

Over time, your child's Learning Journey builds a picture of them as an individual – their interests, friendships, achievements, ideas and the experiences that are important to them.

 

Observing and Understanding Your Child

Our practitioners spend time playing alongside, talking with and observing children as part of everyday practice. This helps us to get to know each child as a unique individual and understand their interests, strengths, development and any areas where they may benefit from additional support or challenge.

Not every valuable learning experience will result in a photograph or written observation. Our priority is always for practitioners to be present and engaged with the children, using what they notice to inform how they interact, support learning and plan future opportunities.

Where something particularly meaningful happens, we may record an observation, photograph or example of your child's learning on Tapestry.

 

Working in Partnership with Families

We see your child's Learning Journey as something that we create together with you.

Children often show different skills and interests at home, so we really value families sharing these with us. You can use Tapestry to tell us about achievements, special occasions, family experiences or simply something your child has particularly enjoyed.

You might share:

• photographs of family experiences, days out or special occasions;

• something new your child has learnt or achieved;

• a picture they have drawn or something they have created;

• a new interest or favourite activity;

• experiences that are particularly important to your child and family.

These contributions help us to understand the whole child and can provide wonderful opportunities for conversation at preschool. We may share children's contributions from home within their key groups, helping children to talk about their own experiences and learn about the lives and experiences of others.

As children become increasingly confident, we also encourage them to have a voice in their Learning Journey, sharing what they are proud of and what is important to them.

 

What Might Be Included?

Photographs
Photographs can capture significant moments, experiences, friendships, interests and explorations. Where appropriate, we may include your child's own words alongside a photograph, helping us to capture their thoughts, ideas and developing communication.

Children's Creations
This might include photographs of models they have built, imaginative play they have developed, pictures, mark-making or other creations. We may include your child's explanation of what they have made or what their creation means to them.

Observations
Practitioners may record significant moments that tell us something useful about your child's learning and development. We use what we know about your child, including our everyday interactions and observations, to consider how we can continue to support their individual progress.

 

Accessing Tapestry

When your child joins Brookside, you will receive an email inviting you to activate your Tapestry account and create your login details.

Tapestry can be accessed online or through the Tapestry app for smartphones and tablets, making it easy to view updates and share photographs and experiences from home.

Tapestry is an important part of communication between Brookside and our families. Alongside children's Learning Journeys, we use it to share newsletters, messages, events, important information and invoices. We therefore ask all families to access their Tapestry account regularly.

If you experience any difficulties accessing Tapestry or do not have suitable internet access, please speak to the Preschool Manager so that we can support you.

 

When Your Child Leaves Brookside

At the end of your child's time with us, parents and carers can download and save their child's Tapestry Learning Journey, providing a special record of their experiences and memories from their time at Brookside.