Critical Reflection in Childcare

Critical reflection is a term that Early Learning Educators will be familiar with — it is a key part of ensuring continual improvements to the content and structure of early learning programs in childcare centres. 

Understanding critical reflection and its role in improving the quality of childcare can help Educators and parents work together to create conducive learning opportunities for children.

What is Critical Reflection in the Childcare Setting?

Critical reflection is defined in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) as a process that examines the learning and development of children against the Key Learning Outcomes set out by the EYLF. 

As part of the National Quality Standard (NQS), Educators are required to reflect critically on the “how” and “why” of early learning programs to drive the development of children towards the EYLF’s 5 Learning Outcomes: 

• Children have a strong sense of identity
• Children are connected with and contribute to their world
• Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
• Children are confident and involved learners
• Children are effective communicators

Every child learns differently, which is why there are dozens of childcare program models and Early Learning pedagogies available to Educators, each with different approaches and goals. By reflecting critically on children's learning needs, responsiveness to programs, and evidence-based practices, Educators can gain greater insights to make decisions that foster better learning in children. 

How Educators Exercise Critical Reflection  

Educators exercise critical reflection through reflective practices to evaluate how well children respond and learn as individuals and in groups. This can include asking targeted questions about common challenges or diving deeper into their understanding of each child in their care.

Critical reflection for Educators is conducted individually, through the submission of routine critical reflection reports and personal journaling, and in group settings within childcare teams, where Educators review and plan for future learning programs. 

The process for reflecting critically involves five steps:

1. Identifying issues - Educators evaluate current programs and processes for areas of improvement. (e.g. How well do current programs cater to the interests and needs of each child?)
2. Challenging assumptions - Thinking critically about how the issues identified in step 1 are a result of situations or past understandings that have since changed. This requires Educators to look past basic observations to find the root of the issue. (e.g. Is a lack of interest the real reason behind a lack of participation in a child?)
3. Making changes - Proposing alternatives to address the issue at hand, and settling on a decision to change or modify early learning programs and practices. (e.g. Creating a rotating schedule of different activities to cater to the interests of each child.) 
4. Continual evaluation - Educators make observations and take notes on how the new changes are reflected in children’s learning and development. (e.g. Increased participation rates among children.)

Applying Critical Reflection at Home

Critical reflection in childcare is mandated for Educators, but can also be used in the home. Parents can apply the same principles in reflective practices to better understand the needs of their young ones and work out better ways to care for children as these needs change.

Critical reflection can be applied at home using the same 4-step process, adjusted for whatever overarching goals parents have for the child. For example, it’s easy to assume that children who are picky eaters will always avoid certain foods due to preferences. By critically reflecting on the issue, parents may find that the solution could be as simple as preparing food in a different way to make it more appealing to the child, rather than cutting disliked foods out of the diet.

At MMCNQ, our Early Learning Educators actively practice critical reflection in all aspects of childcare, from activity and curriculum planning to creating a conducive learning environment at our Early Learning Centres across North Queensland. Visit our childcare centres to see how we apply a holistic Early Learning approach or learn more from our passionate Educators.