
ELGs
The EYFS uses early learning goals (ELGs) to measure and assess the progress of children in childcare settings.
The ELGs stretch across the 7 learning and development areas of the EYFS. Those 7 areas were discussed in some detail in our other EYFS blog.
The EYFS gives an indication of the kinds of things that children should be able to do by the time they reach the age of 5.
We’ll take a look at a few of these now.
Communication and language development
In this area, the ELGs specify that children should be doing things like listening, responding, and talking in various different ways by the time they are 5 years old.
Physical development
In terms of physical development, children should be confident in their movements, exercise, and know about personal hygiene by the time they are 5 years old.
Personal, social, and emotional development
By the time a child is 5 years old, they should have a good level of social confidence, know about feelings, and the differences between right and wrong behaviour.
Literacy development
In this area of learning and development, children are expected to be able to read and write, show a level of understanding and a basic level of spelling by the time they are 5 years old.
Mathematics
For maths, children should be able to count to 20, do simple sums, and understand different measurements, currency and patterns by the time they are 5 years old.
Understanding the world
By the time a child is 5 years old they are expected to be able to discuss their lives at home, understand differences between themselves and others and understand different things about various types of technology.
Expressive arts and design
By the time a child is 5 years old, they should be experimenting with music and dance as well as with other materials and technology.
Assessments
One of the requirements of the EYFS is for children to be assessed so that their development can be observed and measured.
There are two assessments necessary: a progress check when a child is 2 years old, and the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, which must be carried out at the end of the last year before a child starts primary school.
In both of these assessments the child’s development is assessed against the ELGs outlined above to ascertain whether they are meeting, exceeding, or have not yet reached, these expected levels of development.
Train your staff
Everyone working in an early years setting needs to be aware of the 7 learning and development areas, ELGs, and assessment requirements, as well as a broad understanding of the rest of the EYFS. You can train your staff in all of this, and much more, as part of the flick subscription.
Subscribing with flick offers access to all flick courses, plus downloadable guides and resources in the flick library. So why not sign up today?
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