How do you suggest we assess children working on Foundations for Phonics?

Foundations for Phonics is fully aligned to the EYFS Framework as well as the non-statutory guidance Development Matters and Birth to 5 Matters. As it says in Development Matters, ‘Assessment is about noticing what children can do and what they know. It is not about lots of data and evidence.’

For this reason, we suggest you use our Tuning into Sounds and Rhyme time activities in small groups as opportunities to assess your children.

When you’re playing the games with them, use your Assessment for Learning to work out which areas they are confident in and which they need a little more help with.

Think about these questions:

• Can they join in?
• Do they hear the sounds?
• Can they pronounce the sounds?
• Do they need a little extra help?
• Would they work better one-to-one?

Use this information alongside whichever assessment framework you use in your setting to help you decide where each child is on their communication and language and early literacy journey. This careful and continuous observation, used alongside your knowledge of child development, will ensure that you notice whether a child is at risk of falling behind and provide additional support if needed.