One of the important aspects of SEF is making sure that all stakeholders contribute. This makes sure that everyone's opinions are valued and all can take equal and full responsibility for their views about the good practice in the setting.
Children
Children play an integral part in the evaluation of the setting. After all, how can we possibly begin to determine the quality of our setting if we have not consulted with children?
A common term for this is 'involving and consulting'. Children's views should be central to any changes and developments made within a setting. This is emphasised in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 2009, especially in Article 12: Respect for the views of the child, and Article 13: Freedom of expression. We need to think about how we can involve young children in ways that are appropriate for their age, stage and ability. We need to remember the positive effect on children's brain development when their views and opinions are listened to and respected. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the delight on a child's face when what they have expressed is reflected in their play opportunities.
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