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The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework provides guidance on assessment within early years settings. Here are some key points regarding assessment in the EYFS framework:
1. **Ongoing Assessment**: Assessment in the EYFS is based on observing children in their everyday activities and interactions. It emphasizes the importance of ongoing assessment rather than formal testing.
2. **Observation, Assessment, and Planning Cycle**: Practitioners are encouraged to use a cyclical process of observation, assessment, and planning to support children’s learning and development. This involves observing what children do, assessing their progress, and using this information to plan appropriate activities and experiences.
3. **Baseline Assessment**: A baseline assessment is carried out when children first start in a reception class (usually at age 4-5). This assessment helps teachers understand each child’s starting point and plan their learning accordingly.
4. **Early Learning Goals (ELGs)**: The EYFS framework sets out early learning goals in seven areas of learning and development: communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. These goals provide a framework for assessing children’s progress.
5. **Statutory Assessments**: In addition to ongoing assessment, there are statutory assessments at the end of the EYFS (usually in the reception year, before a child turns 5). These assessments are carried out by teachers and include the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP), which summarizes each child’s achievements against the ELGs.
6. **Parental Involvement**: The EYFS encourages practitioners to involve parents in the assessment process. Parents are often asked to contribute information about their child’s development and interests, which can help practitioners build a more rounded picture of each child.
7. **Recording and Reporting**: Assessment information should be recorded in a variety of ways, including through observations, photographs, videos, and written notes. This information should be used to inform reports to parents and other professionals involved in the child’s care and education.
Overall, the EYFS framework promotes a holistic approach to assessment that focuses on understanding each child’s unique strengths, interests, and development needs, and using this information to support their progress.
