Understanding Early Years Nursery Assessments

How Are Early Years Nurseries Assessing Children?

Assessing young children, especially those under 5, may seem unusual at first. However, in nurseries and other early years settings, early years assessments are conducted informally through ongoing observation rather than formal testing.

These assessments are a vital part of the learning and development process, enabling early years practitioners to gain a clear understanding of each child’s individual progress and needs. This ongoing assessment helps shape teaching and learning experiences tailored to support your child’s future learning and development effectively.

Parents are encouraged to engage with these assessments to recognise their child’s progress in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, which outlines seven key areas of learning and development. This partnership between early years providers and families ensures a successful transition for children as they reach important developmental milestones.

Seven Areas of Learning (Early Years Foundation Stage)

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework guides us in supporting your little one’s journey through seven key areas of learning and development:

3 Prime Areas

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development
• Communication and Language

4 Specific Areas

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Assessments at our nurseries are continuous, with practitioners regularly observing children. The strong relationships practitioners build with each child enable them to understand the child’s interests and adapt their teaching to support children’s learning effectively.

Expectations of Early Years Assessments

Baseline Assessments

Within 6-8 weeks of your child starting nursery, your child’s Key Worker will carry out a Baseline Assessment. This statutory assessment provides an initial snapshot of your child’s level of development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

The areas assessed depend on your child’s age. Children under 2 years old are assessed only on the Prime Areas of the EYFS, as these form the foundation for learning and development in the Specific Areas. Children over 2 years old will be assessed across both the Prime and Specific Areas. Following this, your child will receive a grading which reflects their progress against expected developmental milestones.

Quarterly Assessments

After the Baseline Assessment, ongoing formative assessments take place every three months to monitor your child’s progress. These summative assessments provide a clear picture of your child’s development over time. You will receive written updates, including at least one detailed assessment annually.

Each assessment highlights areas where your child may need additional support. Practitioners set targets accordingly and work closely with parents to provide guidance on supporting your child’s learning and development at home.

2-Year Progress Check

Between the ages of 2 and 3, a statutory progress check is completed in line with the Early Years Statutory Framework requirements. This check includes a short written summary focusing on your child’s progress in the Prime Areas. At Tommies Childcare, we go further by assessing both Prime and Specific Areas to give a more complete picture of your child’s development.

Read more information on the 2-Year Development Check here.

Understanding the Assessment Gradings and Your Child’s Development

When you receive your child’s assessment through our online platform Famly, each area will be graded as follows:

• Progressing Well (Your child is demonstrating expected levels of development for their age)
• Give More Support (Your child is making some progress but may benefit from targeted support to meet expected developmental milestones)
• Needs Special Support (Your child requires additional support, possibly involving external health professionals or interventions, to help them progress)

It’s important to remember that some children may be demonstrating skills at home that we have not yet observed at nursery. To support accurate assessment and ongoing communication, please share home moments via the Famly app. This helps practitioners gain a fuller understanding of your child’s learning and development.

Raising Concerns Following an Assessment

If there are any concerns about your child’s development identified during assessments, these will be discussed with you beforehand. Should you feel an assessment does not accurately reflect your child’s progress, please speak to your child’s Key Worker or Nursery Manager.

We believe that assessing your child’s learning is a true partnership between our team and you. We want you to feel completely comfortable reaching out and having open conversations with us, so that together we can support your child’s development in the best possible way.

Communication with Parents

All assessments and observations are recorded and shared through our online learning journey software, Famly. Parents receive access to Famly upon registration at our nurseries. If you do not have access to your Famly account, please contact your Nursery Manager for assistance.