Formative assessment
Ongoing formative assessment is at the heart of effective early years practice.
- observe children as they act and interact in their play, everyday activities and planned activities, and learn from parents about what the child does at home
- analyse observations and decide what they tell us about children
- think about what's next - experiences, opportunities, learning environment, resources, routines, practitioner's role
You can order North Somerset learning diaries to support formative assessment by emailing to early.years@n-somerset.gov.uk.
Summative assessment
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) requires early years practitioners to review children's progress and share a summary with parents at two points:
- in the prime areas between the ages of 24 and 36 months
- at the end of the foundation stage in the EYFS profile
Best fit profiles support early years settings to decide whether a child is showing typical development for their age, may be at risk of delay, or is ahead for their age. Summative assessment supports information sharing with parents, colleagues and other settings.