The Statutory
Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) came into operation
on 3 April 2017. It sets the standards for learning, development and care for
children from birth until the age of five, providing guidelines for those who
deliver the care. This includes childminders, teachers and anyone else who offers
Early Years learning.
In our blog series on the EYFS, we have so far covered: How
to assess progress, Progress
check at age two, Stages of
learning and development and The specific areas.
Today’s blog looks at the final assessment at the end of the
Early Years Foundation Stage: the EYFS Profile.
When is the final assessment carried out?
The EYFS Profile should be completed before 30 June in the
last term of the year when the child turns five.
Why is the Profile required?
This is to give those responsible for the child’s continuing
care and education the following information:
- An overall picture of the child’s knowledge,
understanding and abilities
- Their progress against expected levels
- An idea of how ready the child is to enter Year
1
Who contributes to the child’s EYFS Profile?
The information in the Profile comes from existing
observations, discussions and records made by parents, carers, teachers, health
visitors and any other relevant specialists who have been involved in the
child’s education and care to date.
What is being assessed?
The Profile will show how the child has developed within the
framework of the Early Learning Goals – whether they are meeting, exceeding or
below expected levels.
For children with special educational needs or disabilities,
the assessment process should be adjusted as appropriate, with specialist help
sought to create the Profile, if required. This will ensure that any additional
support required is identified and the details passed on to the relevant local
authority.
What if a child moves schools or attends more than one
school?
If a child moves from one school to another during this
final year, the Profile should be created by the new school but teachers at the
previous school should send over an assessment of the child’s progress as
measured against the Early Learning Goals.
If a child attends more than one school, the Profile should
be created by the school where the child spends most of their time.
What happens to the Profile?
A copy of the report must be given to the child’s Year 1
teacher(s) to facilitate a dialogue between them and the child’s Reception
teacher(s). This will help the new teachers to plan activities suitable to the
child’s level of skills and abilities.
Parents/carers should be given the opportunity to discuss
the Profile with the teacher who created it.
What is the role of the local authority in the process?
The local authority must be provided with EYFS Profiles on
request and providers should allow entry to their school or other premises to
view the completion of the Profile and take copies of documents that relate to
it.
If the local authority asks for moderation activities or for
any specific information relating to the Profile, the provider must comply with
these requests.
Data provided to local authorities must be returned to the
relevant Government department.
