According to Maintenance of Records in ECE Settings: Nature, Periodicity of Updating and Importance, a record is defined as a documented proof of ______. 

Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings, a record is a documented proof of a transaction, which refers to any activity, event, or interaction that occurs within the educational environment.

Key Points 

• Nature of Records: Records in ECE settings encompass various documentation types, including attendance, assessments, observations, and communication logs.
• Types of Transactions: Transactions refer to daily activities, interactions, assessments, and incidents within the educational setting.
• Purpose of Records: Records serve regulatory compliance, communication, assessment, safety, and overall well-being of children.
• Periodicity of Updating: Updating frequency varies based on the type of information, ranging from daily for attendance to periodic assessments.
• Importance of Records: Crucial for accountability, transparency, compliance, communication, and informed decision-making in ECE settings.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Maintaining accurate records is often a legal requirement, ensuring a safe and compliant educational environment.

Hence, the correct answer is Transaction.