ABSTRACT
Observing babies tells us about their personalities, moods, needs and how they are developing. Physical needs – food, sleep and being clean – are a high priority and take up much of the practitioner’s time. It is important that babies have periods of socialisation/play with each other and with their key carer but also short times when they can explore, make choices and play by themselves. The secret is to plan for this so the key person can quietly observe them. Ideally, having a digital camera on hand, with a timer function, can provide useful evidence to support these observations. It is essential that these periods are not too long in case the baby gets upset or anxious. Of course, there is an absolute necessity to adhere to all the National Day Care Standards at all times.
