The records of the day become treasures a year later

How an active nursery director practices 'AI x childcare documentation'

Who are childcare records written for?

I sometimes ask myself that question.

For administrative audits.

For handovers.

Of course, both are important purposes.

However, what I truly want to cherish is a record that, when read a year later by the child's parents or the child themselves, makes them think, 'Oh, that happened back then' is what I value.

Administrative records versus records that stay in the heart.

I thought about where that difference lies while using AI.

Why records tend to become administrative

The reason is clear.

It is because there is a large volume to write every day.

Even if I have the desire to write carefully, due to time constraints, it inevitably tends to become a list of facts like 'did this' and 'did that'.

The prompts I actually used

I provide my observation notes for the day in bullet points and have the structure of the record organized.

あなたは保育記録の作成に詳しい保育士です。

以下のメモをもとに、保育記録を作成してください。

【メモ】
・砂場で山を作り、崩れても何度も作り直していた
・友達が手伝おうとすると「じぶんでやる」と言っていた

【条件】
・「ねらいとの関連」「子どもの姿」「保育者の関わり」の3つの
  観点で整理する
・事実の羅列にせず、その子の内面が伝わる書き方にする

By deciding on three perspectives in advance, I have eliminated omissions in the records.

Points that were good to use

1. Omissions in perspectives have been eliminated

I have become able to be conscious of 'aims,' 'behavior,' and 'interactions' every time, which has stabilized the quality of the records.

2. Time spent writing has been reduced

The process of organizing notes into records has become faster, allowing me to secure time for other documentation.

Points that could not be used as they were

① The expressions sometimes became a bit too explanatory

There were times when it stopped at explaining the fact that they 'remade it many times,' failing to delve into the child's perseverance or sense of accomplishment.

② Even with similar child behaviors, the expressions tended to be alike

When creating records for multiple children in succession, there were instances where the phrasing became too similar.

Two points I always correct

① Add a word about the child's inner state

After 'remade it many times,' I add the expression I saw on the spot, such as 'even though they looked frustrated every time it collapsed, they faced it without giving up.'

② Finish each one individually, taking time

Instead of processing them in bulk, I secure time to face each child's record individually.

Director's Note

I believe childcare records are not just tasks, but memories of that child's growth.

I want them to be records that, when the child or their parents look back on them years later, can convey, 'You worked so hard like this.'

AI reduces the burden of writing.

However, the only person who remembers the expression that child showed that day is the childcare worker who was by their side.

I want to continue to cherish the time spent putting those memories into words.

AI Director's Office Work

Before writing today's record, please try the following:

1. Note not only the facts but also the 'expressions' of the scenes that left an impression on you

2. Ask the AI to create a record based on three perspectives: 'aim, appearance, and interaction'

3. Add the 'expressions' mentioned in the notes using your own words

This one sentence transforms a record from a 'list of facts' into 'that child's story'.

Summary

AI helps organize the structure of your records.

However, it is up to us to put into words the expressions that the child showed that day.

I do not use AI because I want to finish my records quickly.

I want to use that time to observe the children more closely.

That is why I utilize AI.

Next time

'Creating plans for each individual. How an active preschool principal practices 'AI x Individualized Education Plans''

Individualized education plans for children who need extra support. I will share how I engage with AI to create plans unique to each child while maintaining a consistent overall structure.