Data in early childhood

Jan Dubiel and Angelica Celinska discuss the highly debated topic of data in early childhood. The term 'datafication of early childhood' is used to describe the over use of data in the sector. Jan discusses the need to have a more measured conversation about data in early childhood education. In this episode Angelica and Jan explore the challenges, controversies and importance of data, including statutory assessments such as the EYFS Profile and the Baseline Assessment, for example, considering that it is not the issue of having a baseline, it's the type of baseline and how the data is used.

Jan and Angelica tap into:

• 01:00 - Resistance to data in early childhood
• 02:45 - What do we mean by data?
• 03:25 - Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts
• 05:45 - How can we represent children's learning authentically?
• 06:30 - Progress is not always sequential 
• 07:20 - 'Early years-ifying' language and data
• 09:00 - Data is a way of knowing whether we are getting it right or not
• 10:00 - Is recording data taking us away from children?
• 13:20 - Stronger advocacy with the use of data
• 15:00 - Early Years Foundation Stage Profile 
• 18:50 - Reception Baseline Assessment 
• 22:15 - Data which works for the setting and the children
• 24:10 - Juxtaposition between early years data and health data
• 25:20 - Leuven scales of involvement and wellbeing
• 29:20 - It is vital for educators to take ownership of data in early childhood
• 31:00 - Evidence based-practice, qualitative data and quantifiable data
• 32:00 - Reframing data - is it useful?

Read and hear more on The Voice of Early Childhood website: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com