Early years foundation stage assessment

The DfE have confirmed that the EYFS Profile assessment will remain statutory until September 2016.  The EYFS Profile is a one-off assessment for all children at the end of their Reception year.

In September 2015 schools are invited to pilot the new EYFS baseline.  The DfE has approved six baseline assessments and schools will have up until the end of April 2015 to select one of these.  The DfE will be covering the basic cost, though some of the assessments may need additional equipment and resources that the school will need to pay for.

 Each of these baselines will:

• Provide a single score for each child
• Record an individual child's outcomes (as a minimum) in Communication and Literacy and Mathematics and Literacy
• Be able to make predictions for the end of KS1
• Be used by Ofsted to describe progress from Yr R
• Provide a high level of statistical reliability
• Provide a way of submitting data

The first measurement against the Baseline will be 2022.

Schools need to choose the baseline that reflects their values.  Considerations must also be given to any additional cost the assessment may incur, how long it takes, how accurate it will be and how it will inform whole school tracking systems.  We believe the Early Excellence Baseline is a principled choice for Yr R teachers.

The Early Excellence Baseline Assessment recommended by Kent builds upon existing approaches and tradition of observational assessment.  It operates as part of everyday effective practice, working within the principles and practices of the current EYFS.  It is fully inclusive for children with EAL and SEND and includes multi-perspectives of the child's development including parents. Ideally it should be the decision for the Yr R teacher as they will be the ones who will have to carry out the assessments.  All the improved models will achieve what Headteachers, Governors and Subject Leaders require from them. 

The Standards and Testing Agency has approved the following providers for the Reception baseline assessment:

• Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, Durham University (CEM)
• Early Excellence
• GL Assessment
• Hodder Education
• National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)
• Speech Link

Schools need to consider the message these assessments give to children about learning and school ethos.  The Early Excellence Baseline recognises the need to build relationships as well as providing an accurate picture and description of who they are.

Kent are delivering briefing sessions for Headteachers and Yr R teachers across the county in March where we will include an overview of all the approved Baseline assessments prior to a more in-depth look at the recommended Early Excellence Baseline.

Contact Details:

Polly Sharman
Senior Early Years Improvement Adviser (Schools)
Telephone:  01622 694984