15/06/2023
Unit 14: Assessment and Observation in early years settings
2.3 -Explain the positive and negative features of formative and summative
assessment
Early years education frequently uses both formative and summative assessments as
evaluation tools. Both strategies have advantages and disadvantages.
Formative Assessment
Positive features:
● Individualised learning: Through the use of formative assessments, teachers and
practitioners can keep tabs on the development of every child and identify their
strengths as well as areas in need of extra help. By taking a personalised approach,
teaching methods can be adjusted to each child's particular needs.
● Formative evaluations in early years education frequently take the form of casual
observations made while children are playing and engaging in daily activities. This
strategy guarantees that assessments are incorporated into young children's organic
learning experiences.
● Parental involvement: Formative assessments give parents or other adults who look
after children the chance to get involved in their education. Collaboration between
educators and families is facilitated by sharing observations and feedback with
parents.
Negative features:
● Possible bias: Assessments based on observations are susceptible to bias because
they are shaped by the interpretive choices of the observer.
● Limited generalizability: Early years education formative assessments concentrate on
particular skills or behaviours seen in a specific context. The generalisation of these
evaluations to broader developmental domains or different contexts can be difficult.
● Time-consuming: It takes a lot of time and effort for educators to conduct ongoing
formative assessments. Regular observations and documentation can be difficult,
especially when working with a lot of young children.
Summative assessment
Positive features:
● Summative assessments offer a snapshot of a child's overall development and
accomplishments in the seven areas of development of the EYFS. They provide a
wider perspective on a child's development and growth over time.
● Summative assessments can be used as a tool for dialogue between educators,
families, and other professionals involved in a child's education. They aid in
exchanging important knowledge about a child's development and areas for extra
help.
, ● Summative assessments can help determine a child's readiness for transitions, such
as switching classes or beginning formal schooling. They aid in ensuring that kids get
the right support during major transitions.
Negative features:
● Developmental variability: Since young children develop at varying rates, summative
assessments might not fully reflect their potential and abilities. One point of
evaluation might not adequately capture the complexity of their development.
● Limited context: Since summative assessments often focus on specific skills or
knowledge areas, they may not capture the full range of a child's abilities. This
narrow focus could leave out other crucial components of early childhood
development, like creativity or social-emotional abilities.
2.4 -Identify different assessment methods for specific situations in early education
There are a number of assessment techniques used in the Early Years Foundation Stage
(EYFS) framework. Here are a few examples:
● Observation: Observational assessment involves carefully observing children's
behaviour, interactions, and abilities during play, activities, and routines. Written
observations, images, or videos can all be used to document observations.
● Learning Journals: In learning journals, children's accomplishments, milestones, and
learning experiences are documented. They allow for a collaborative approach to
assessment because they can be written by parents as well as educators. Learning
journals allow for a thorough record of children's development by allowing for the
inclusion of written reflections, pictures, artwork, and samples of their work.
● The three EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) statutory assessment points, which
are the progress check at two years, the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) and
the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP).
● Transition reports for when children move rooms or settings.
● Using the Characteristics of Effective Learning to evaluate how a child is developing.
● There might be occasions where other types of summative assessment might be
needed.
2.5 -Explain how assessment can be used to track progress
Assessment is an important tool for tracking children’s progress. Continuous formative
assessments, for example from observations, provide an ongoing overview of a child’s
learning, development, and achievements. Educators can determine where children are
progressing well and where they need more support by comparing their development to the
expected developmental milestones listed in the EYFS. Ongoing assessment enables
monitoring of development and growth over time. Additionally, parents and carers can
engage and provide feedback to these assessments.Assessments support transitions,
individualises learning experiences, informs instructional planning, and builds a thorough
record of children's accomplishments. Through assessment, the EYFS makes sure that all
children get the help they need to succeed and advance in their early education.
Unit 14: Assessment and Observation in early years settings
2.3 -Explain the positive and negative features of formative and summative
assessment
Early years education frequently uses both formative and summative assessments as
evaluation tools. Both strategies have advantages and disadvantages.
Formative Assessment
Positive features:
● Individualised learning: Through the use of formative assessments, teachers and
practitioners can keep tabs on the development of every child and identify their
strengths as well as areas in need of extra help. By taking a personalised approach,
teaching methods can be adjusted to each child's particular needs.
● Formative evaluations in early years education frequently take the form of casual
observations made while children are playing and engaging in daily activities. This
strategy guarantees that assessments are incorporated into young children's organic
learning experiences.
● Parental involvement: Formative assessments give parents or other adults who look
after children the chance to get involved in their education. Collaboration between
educators and families is facilitated by sharing observations and feedback with
parents.
Negative features:
● Possible bias: Assessments based on observations are susceptible to bias because
they are shaped by the interpretive choices of the observer.
● Limited generalizability: Early years education formative assessments concentrate on
particular skills or behaviours seen in a specific context. The generalisation of these
evaluations to broader developmental domains or different contexts can be difficult.
● Time-consuming: It takes a lot of time and effort for educators to conduct ongoing
formative assessments. Regular observations and documentation can be difficult,
especially when working with a lot of young children.
Summative assessment
Positive features:
● Summative assessments offer a snapshot of a child's overall development and
accomplishments in the seven areas of development of the EYFS. They provide a
wider perspective on a child's development and growth over time.
● Summative assessments can be used as a tool for dialogue between educators,
families, and other professionals involved in a child's education. They aid in
exchanging important knowledge about a child's development and areas for extra
help.
, ● Summative assessments can help determine a child's readiness for transitions, such
as switching classes or beginning formal schooling. They aid in ensuring that kids get
the right support during major transitions.
Negative features:
● Developmental variability: Since young children develop at varying rates, summative
assessments might not fully reflect their potential and abilities. One point of
evaluation might not adequately capture the complexity of their development.
● Limited context: Since summative assessments often focus on specific skills or
knowledge areas, they may not capture the full range of a child's abilities. This
narrow focus could leave out other crucial components of early childhood
development, like creativity or social-emotional abilities.
2.4 -Identify different assessment methods for specific situations in early education
There are a number of assessment techniques used in the Early Years Foundation Stage
(EYFS) framework. Here are a few examples:
● Observation: Observational assessment involves carefully observing children's
behaviour, interactions, and abilities during play, activities, and routines. Written
observations, images, or videos can all be used to document observations.
● Learning Journals: In learning journals, children's accomplishments, milestones, and
learning experiences are documented. They allow for a collaborative approach to
assessment because they can be written by parents as well as educators. Learning
journals allow for a thorough record of children's development by allowing for the
inclusion of written reflections, pictures, artwork, and samples of their work.
● The three EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) statutory assessment points, which
are the progress check at two years, the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) and
the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP).
● Transition reports for when children move rooms or settings.
● Using the Characteristics of Effective Learning to evaluate how a child is developing.
● There might be occasions where other types of summative assessment might be
needed.
2.5 -Explain how assessment can be used to track progress
Assessment is an important tool for tracking children’s progress. Continuous formative
assessments, for example from observations, provide an ongoing overview of a child’s
learning, development, and achievements. Educators can determine where children are
progressing well and where they need more support by comparing their development to the
expected developmental milestones listed in the EYFS. Ongoing assessment enables
monitoring of development and growth over time. Additionally, parents and carers can
engage and provide feedback to these assessments.Assessments support transitions,
individualises learning experiences, informs instructional planning, and builds a thorough
record of children's accomplishments. Through assessment, the EYFS makes sure that all
children get the help they need to succeed and advance in their early education.
