– Assessment for Learning

As with all government initiatives, the focus is clear; assessment should be central to improving standards and raising achievement. In practice, this means, as far as is possible, children and practitioners working together to decide ‘where the learners are in their learning, where they need to go and how best to get there’ (ARG, 2002). This process is known as assessment for learning (AfL) and should be central to day-to-day practice in the setting and the school. This chapter will consider how the process of assessment for learning can and should be at the centre of day-to-day practice in early years settings. Although the particular focus of this chapter is on AFI in the Early Years Foundation Stage, the underlying principles of the AfL process make it equally applicable to Key Stage 1.