Tapestry

[Kalinaa]

Hi all! I was just curious to those whose pre schools use tapestry- how often you receive updates? I know this can vary massively - however my daughter started In January - attends 2 sessions a week and has only had 1 observation added by her key worker in that time? There have been a couple where she’s been included in a group but that’s literally it. She enjoys going so I’m sure she’s having a lovely time I guess I just wish I saw a bit more of what she was up to!

My sons nursery usually do an update every week

I get at least one photo a day. But I was waiting in reception once and heard one of the workers leave her colleague and a group of children singing songs because she had ‘all the observations’ to do.

And it struck me that I’d rather the staff were singing than taking blurry photos and uploading to pacify parents.

A quick chat at handover would probably give you a better overview of the day as well.

When dd (now y1) was in nursery and reception it was probably updated every two weeks or so, however the new eyfs framework has more of a focus on adults interacting with children and less of a focus on collecting evidence for assessment so I would assume that it may have decreased since then.

Not tapestry but there are multiple equivalent apps - one nursery multiple photos a day, plus what they’ve eaten etc. The other v slack and would update the food every few days and put a few photos up every couple of weeks. Totally nursery dependent!

I totally agree with this.

How old is your daughter? I think you get more updates usually for younger ones who can't tell you much themselves. You also probably get more with a private nursery that does wraparound care than a preschool type one run by local authority.

DS is nearly 4, I get probably one generalised update a week on an app (along the lines of 'this week we're looking at dinosaurs') and one or two focus weeks a year where they take lots of pics and write down what he's doing and give feedback on how he's developing and what we can do to support.

Tapestry is used more for us uploading stuff about what he's doing at home.

The same nursery has changed a lot, DD went there a few years ago - pre-pandemic we had loads of updates, when the pandemic started they didn't have time because of extra cleaning, staff shortages etc and never picked it up again.

Also the funding constraints are so tight, there's not enough money to pay someone to take pictures all the time, the staff-child ratios are tight enough as it is. I'd rather they were engaging with the kids than fussing with pictures and updates. I can tell by how DS is whether he's had a good time.

@Squamata she is 2. I absolutely agree with everyone saying I would much rather they be engaging with the children than faffing taking photos 100%!! Though it does seem a bit redundant having it in that respect. But like you say I know she has a great time as she always goes off happily and comes home happy.

thats interesting about focus weeks!! Is this something all pre schools do or is this also dependant? Sorry I have no idea as this is my first time dealing with one. Also with tapestry - I have updated it with things we’ve been up to as was suggested that I did when I first signed her up, however it seems to only be me that uploads anything really!