There is no one way to document children’s learning. As educators, we should be using a range of observation and documentation methods.

Collecting information and storing it in a ‘portfolio’ can be a great way to connect children and families with their learning. Portfolios allow for perspectives from diverse backgrounds and can meaningfully share the voices and values of children.

However, due to misunderstandings about documentation requirements and time constraints, portfolios can feel like an administrative burden. Portfolios can often miss the purpose and value of documentation and end up looking more like scrapbooks.

Documentation is a requirement of our role as educators. It’s up to you and your team to reflect on how you can best use your time to provide quality documentation over quantity.

To ensure you’re using the best documentation methods for your service context, reflect with your team:

• Who are you developing this for and why?
• Who is advantaged and/or disadvantaged by this method?
• Does this method connect with and reflect our image of the child? Why/why not?
• Is this method meaningful for children and families? Why/why not?
• Does the method include a range of observations and artefacts?

Bryony Catlin
Consultant, Community Child Care Association