Transition and Observation, Assessment and Planning

Observation, Assessment, and Planning

Practitioners must consider the individual needs, interests, and development of each child in their care, and must use this information to plan a challenging and enjoyable experience for each child in all areas of learning and development.

Practitioners are expected to use the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021) Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), There is no single observation, assessment and planning system or format, as needs will vary across individual settings. 

Support for developing appropriate planning Curriculum planning - Help for early years providers - GOV.UK (education.gov.uk) and reducing excessive paperwork Reducing paperwork - Help for early years providers - GOV.UK (education.gov.uk) are available on the Department for Education (DfE) pages Help for Early Years. These pages also provide additional help with understanding the Educational Programmes for the 7 areas of learning and development.

18 Month Progress Check

In 2023, Bolton Start Well, in partnership with Bolton's Public Health Nursing team, launched an extra development check for all 18-month-old children in Bolton (for all children that don’t already have support from their Public Health Nursing team). More information about this service can be found here: 18-Month Developmental Check for Children in Bolton – Bolton Start Well

The check includes a review of the 18-month-old child's

  • social, emotional and behavioural development
  • communication and language development
  • general development
  • any other concerns raised

Please be advised: From time to time (and with parental consent), it may be beneficial for a Bolton Start Well Practitioner to contact the child's early years provider. This will be to discuss the 18-month-old check results for an individual child and agree any folllow up action. Please support Bolton Start Well with this process whenever necessary.

Assessment resources

Progress check at 2

EYFS Profile

Development Matters: Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage.

Birth to 5 Matters: Non-statutory guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage 

Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) Workshops

Early Help

WellComm Toolkit

Supporting children with additional needs