Importance of the EYFS profile for transitions
The EYFS profile as a transition tool
The EYFS profile is a rounded summary of each child’s level of development at the end of reception. It’s intended to support continuity in learning and inform year 1 planning, rather than to predict future attainment.
The EYFS profile provides valuable information for year 1 teachers. Transition conversations for all learners help year 1 teachers identify where children may have met an ELG but not met the full breadth of the curriculum. Where children are emerging on an ELG, it also helps year 1 teachers plan to support those children in helping them to meet those areas of learning later.
Children’s learning is not always linear and may change over time, including across transition points, like the move from reception to year 1. It is important that the start of year 1 helps to consolidate learning that took place in reception.
Year 1 teachers need to be aware of what the ELGs are and how judgements are made. This means year 1 teachers understand and can use the ‘expected’ and ‘emerging’ judgements to meet the needs of the children moving into year 1.
What you should share
To make transition meaningful, you should provide context behind your EYFS profile judgements, such as:
- information about what children still need to learn, focusing on important missing knowledge and skills
- whether the judgement was made using the best-fit approach and, if so, which aspects of the ELG the child still needs support with
- any strategies, scaffolds or adaptations that have been effective in supporting the child’s learning and engagement
- details on ‘emerging’ judgements that explain whether the child was close to the ‘expected’ level or significantly below it
- successful approaches, interests and motivators that aid engagement and learning
This level of detail helps year 1 teachers understand not just the outcome, but the child’s learning trajectory, enabling them to plan targeted support and keep using strategies that work. It also informs year 1 teachers of what pupils cannot yet do, so they can address these gaps from the very start of year 1.
This video illustrates examples of assessment practice. While it features real children in real school settings, their actual developmental levels may differ from what is shown, and some scenes include acting for demonstration purposes.
Transcript
Transcript
The main purpose and real value of the EYFS Profile assessment is about ensuring all children secure the foundational knowledge, skills and abilities they need to thrive and be ready for Key Stage One learning.
It helps Year One teachers to understand each child’s level of development at the end of reception.
Sometimes teachers worry that the children have got it now, but will they still be at the expected level after the summer?
Children may show slight regression when they enter Year One, often due to a new unfamiliar environment and the long break of the summer holiday.
That doesn’t mean that the EYFS Profile assessments were wrong.
It reflects where the child was at the end of reception, not how they will perform in September.
– I know Alex met the ELG for writing, but I’m worried they’re going to regress over the summer holidays.
– You know what? That’s normal.
The EYFSP isn’t about predicting September readiness.
It’s about recognising the secure development of the children in reception.
Leo didn’t meet his good level of development due to not meeting his Maths ELGs.
For example, when I assessed him against his Number ELG, he’s confident with counting and matching quantities.
– Four, five, six.
– Well done.
But he struggled with number composition and recall of number facts.
I think a couple of other children struggled with the same concept.
So what we’ll do, we’ll revisit the foundational numeracy and then introduce the more abstract concepts.
Absolutely.
He needs more time to embed those core concepts through hands-on activities and repetition before tackling more abstract ideas.
I have no doubt those kind of experiences will help Leo consolidate his understanding and prepare him for the next steps in Year One Maths.
– Oh, that’s great.
If I have any questions, I’ll come and ask you.
Transition conversations should start with strengths, then explore support needs.
The EYFS Profile helps Year One teachers understand each child’s journey, but it’s not a ceiling.
It’s a foundation for planning, continuity and inclusion.
As leaders, we need to ensure our teams understand that the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile is a tool for transition and enabling a secure base for wellbeing and future learning.
We need to protect time for reflection and support teachers to make informed, child-centered assessments and trust their professional judgement.