[maisiemo]

Whilst planning needs to reflect the needs of the child and be done following your observations, you also need to show coverage of the curriculum and, through your record keeping show how children are progressing in all areas. A long term plan for each area of constant provision can show how you cover the curriculum on a daily basis. Medium term plans can show what specific areas of the curriculum you aim to cover over 6 weeks or so. This still leaves flexible short term plans but ensures the staff have had time to use their expertise to devise interesting activities suitable for the children in their care.

If all we needed to do was what the children asked for it would be likely to be a very narrow curriculum. We are expected to do a balance of child initiated activities and adult led activities.