Observing and Assessing for the Foundation Stage Profile

The Foundation Stage Profile is the statutory assessment format to be completed by early years staff and nursery/reception teachers for all children in England by the end of the Foundation Stage (before the child starts Year 1 at age five), from summer 2003.

It replaces Baseline Assessment, which was designed for use shortly after the child started early years provision.

The focus has now shifted to the end of the Foundation Stage, but involves elements of continuous assessment - bringing new assessment processes and procedures which impact on all early years staff. This concise guide focuses on the practical issues in implementing the Foundation Stage Profile across the full range of early years settings.

Vicky Hutchin details the practical processes required to make effective holistic assessments of young children's learning and achievements and explains how to meet statutory requirements.

She shows how to set up observational systems which work across the Foundation Stage and how to involve both parents and children in the assessment process. A clear writing style, allied with numerous examples of real observations, real children's work and real contexts, ensure a down-to-earth focus on the key implementation issues, and their day-to-day implications for planning and practice.

The text concludes with a questions and concerns chapter generated by the author's personal experience in delivering LEA training.