Alliance criticises reception baseline assessment criteria
29th May 2014
Commenting on the criteria for potential reception baseline assessments, published today by the Standards and Testing Agency, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance, said:
“The publication of these criteria has only served to heighten our concerns about the introduction of a reception baseline.
“The criteria clearly state the purpose of these assessments is to ‘assess school effectiveness’, rather than to ensure that the learning and development requirements of each individual child are met. Once again, the needs of the child have been completely overlooked.
“The current EYFS Profile is a broad-based assessment which covers all areas of learning and development and is based on a process of ongoing observation. In contrast, the new baseline assessments are to be focussed almost exclusively on language, literacy and mathematics. While these are of course vital early skills, we find it very concerning that no reference has been made to any other areas of learning and development, such as personal, social and emotional development or physical development. The Early Years Foundation Stage is still statutory in reception and as such, any assessments that take place during this time should ensure that practitioners are adopting a holistic and well-rounded approach to learning.
“We are also extremely concerned by the reference to the assessments potentially being ‘on-screen or on paper’. This would suggest that these ‘assessments’ will, in reality, be more like formal tests. Not only would such an approach provide an unreliable snapshot of a child’s progress at best, it is also completely inappropriate for children of such a young age.”
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Notes for editors
- Access the criteria
- The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
- Through direct provision and its membership of 14,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
- For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: