Where can AI be applied to increase the quality of Early Childhood Education and Care?
We’ve identified three key areas in which the technological capabilities of AI could be applied to support early years professionals.
1. Enhance professional development for the ECEC workforce
The problem
Opportunities for CPD are limited and existing courses are of variable quality. Nurseries cannot afford expensive courses and it is hard to arrange cover for staff in order to attend courses. There is a large range in educational experiences amongst early years professionals - one size will not fit all.
Why AI?
There’s an opportunity to improve CPD through 1) personalisation, 2) embedding real-time feedback/coaching and 3) making CPD available in short downtime moments.
Outcomes we want to see
Professionals have better access to skills and knowledge resulting in higher quality interactions with children. Nurseries achieve a greater impact on practice for the same budget compared to existing training.
2. Reduce administrative burden in order to increase the time professionals spend on activities that directly benefit children’s development
The problem
Nursery managers experience a high burden of administrative tasks, reducing the time available to support and coach their staff and enhance developmental practice. Tasks include record keeping on children and staff, regulatory reporting, financial management and funding applications.
Why AI?
Automation of admin tasks could reduce workload. Many tasks require synthesis of information and report writing which is highly amenable to generative AI.
Outcomes we want to see
A reduction in manual admin tasks for practitioners, resulting in increased time to work directly with staff and children.
3. Enhance the quality of assessment and developmental activities for children, through AI-powered personalised recommendations for practitioners
The problem
Understanding a child’s developmental stage and the activities and support they require to advance is critical to quality provision, and this requires a very high level of knowledge, skill and creativity. Personalisation and tailoring to the individual needs of children is time-consuming and challenging.
Why AI?
AI has the potential to bring information about a child together to give an accurate picture of their development stage across multiple domains, and combine information about their preferences and best practice to give creative ideas for developmentally appropriate activities.
Outcomes we want to see
Development of personalised child development plans, tailored to individual needs resulting in meaningful and developmentally supportive interactions between nursery professionals and children.
