Friday 18th March 2011
Information from the LA EYFSP team
As you will be aware, each of the 13 scales of the EYFS Profile consists of nine points, Points 1-3 covering some of Development Matters, Points 4-8 the Early Learning Goals (ELG) and Point 9 attainment beyond the ELG.
Two years ago QCDA made it clear that they considered that children should not be assessed as attaining Points 4-8 before they had attained all Points 1-3 in any one scale, unless the child had specific learning or physical difficulties which prevented them from attaining certain points. This information is contained in the leaflets called EYFS scale points 1-3 and Data submission lock for scale points 4-8 which can be found on the QCDA website.
Last year the data collection software used by the LA to send data on to the government would not accept Points 4-8 unless Points 1-3 had been attained, except where the child's exceptional pattern of attainment had been discussed with the EYFSP moderation manager and an appeal sent to, and approved by, QCDA.
This letter (dated March 2011) will be sent to all primary and infant schools to give notice of two important matters relating to the above:
- that if you have a child who you believe is attaining in an unusual pattern, for example Points 1, 2 and 4 of a scale then you must submit to Seona Ford, EYFSP moderation manager, a request for an appeal to be lodged with QCDA. Please read the leaflets mentioned above and if necessary consult a member of the Early Years team for advice. Please contact Seona at seona.ford@essex.gov.uk in the first instance and by no later than Thursday 28 April;
- that in 2011, there will be a "lock" when schools go to extract their data from EYFS Target Tracker to send to the LA in June and it will not be possible to send data to the LA with patterns of attainment such as Points 1, 2 and 4 unless an appeal has been made to QCDA through the LA moderation manager and approved.
Please do not hesitate to contact one of the team if you would like further clarification about this matter.
Seona Ford Liz Norton
EYFSP moderation manager Strategy Manager, Quality Improvement, EYFS
Pam Langmead