EYFS Assessment
At Oakfield, ongoing assessment is an integral part of learning and development processes. Staff observe pupils to identify their level of achievement, interests and learning styles. These observations are used to shape future planning. When children join the School (through either Nursery or Reception), each child’s Key Person will use information provided by parents and other settings to understand each child’s learning needs. Teachers assess each child continuously and carefully, recording each child’s Individual Learning Profile on the School’s tracking system, Insight.
Within the first 6 weeks that a child starts reception, staff will administer the Statutory Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA). At the end of the EYFS, staff complete the EYFS profile for each child. Pupils are assessed against the 17 early learning goals, indicating whether they are: • Meeting expected levels of development • Not yet reaching expected levels (‘emerging). Our INTENT in EYFS is for all pupils to acheive the early learning goals.
Early Learning Goals Explained
Four Guiding Principles for the EYFS Framework
These are:
• Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured
• Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships
• Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
• Importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Areas of Learning Development
There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.
Three areas are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving.
These are the prime areas:
communication and language
physical development
personal, social and emotional development
Providers must also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are:
literacy
mathematics
understanding the world
expressive arts and design
The Characteristics of Effective Learning are about how children learn and develop.
Characteristics of Effective Learning
There are three sections to the Charcteristics :
1. Playing & Exploring
2. Active Learning
3. Creating & Thinking Critically