The EYFS 2014 contains a statutory duty for early year’s settings to carry out a progress check on all two-year olds who are in settings. This is based on growing evidence that focusing on children’s development at an early stage is most effective. The government has based the new requirement on research evidence which highlights two key issues:
‘After the age of three, it becomes much more difficult to make changes in both a child’s development and in parental behaviour.’ ‘Mothers and fathers play the most important part in raising a child.’
The aims of the progress check is to;
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Review a child’s development in the three prime areas of the EYFS.
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Share this information with parents/carers at an agreed time to ensure they have a clear picture of their child’s development.
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Enable the setting to understand the child’s needs and plan activities and experiences to meet them in the setting.
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Enable and supporting parents/carers to understand their child’s needs and enhance development at home.
The Three Prime areas of learning and development:
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development
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Physical Development
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Communication and Language
The check’s aim is to note areas where the child is progressing well and identify any areas where progress is less than expected. To provide a basis of any actions the Setting intends to take to address any developmental concerns (including working with other professionals where appropriate).
Procedure
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Rose Buddies Childcare will allow a settling in period of 4-6 weeks for the child to enable the key person and other practitioners to build up a good knowledge of the child’s development, abilities and interests before completing the progress check. If a child has a period of ill health, a significant event in their family (eg arrival of a sibling, bereavement), a period of absence or irregular attendance it may be appropriate to delay the check.
If a child has already had the health visitor 2 year old check the pre-school is still required to carry out the EYFS 2 year old check
The progress check will;
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Be completed by the child’s key person in partnership with parents/carers
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Arise from ongoing observational assessments carried out as part of everyday practice in the setting.
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Be based on skills, knowledge, understanding and behaviour that the child demonstrates consistently and independently.
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Take account of the views and contributions of parents/carers and the child if appropriate.
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Take into account the view of other practitioners and, where relevant, other professionals working with the child
We intend that the progress check will:
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Be clear and easy to read.
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Present a truthful yet sensitive reflection of what the child can do and their achievements to date.
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Identify areas where the child is progressing at a slower pace than expected.
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Recognise parents/carers in-depth knowledge of their child and explain how their child’s learning and development will be supported in our preschool
Children attending more than one setting or changing settings
If a child attends more than one setting, the progress check will normally be carried out by the child’s key person at the setting where the child spends the greatest amount of time each week. It will be good practice for the setting who is carrying out the progress check to consider whether it would be helpful to get the views of other practitioners working with the child at the other setting/settings.
If a child moves from our nurseries between 24 and 36 months, leaders from each setting will agree which provider will complete the check. Again, this will usually be the setting where the child has spent the most time to date.
Preparing the progress check for a child with identified disabilities or special
educational need:-
If the progress check is for a child with an identified disability, medical need or special educational need we will take into account if the child is already being supported by other professionals. If this is the case, we will agree with parents/carers how the views and contributions of those professionals can be sought.
Information Sharing
The progress check is a statutory requirement of the EYFS. Our Nurseries will seek the consent of parents to share information from the progress check directly with any relevant professionals.
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