The pre-school setting should provide a detailed breakdown of the child's 'stepping stones' of achievement towards the Early Learning Goals, with comments and photographs even if your child is a baby. When you receive a diary, report or similar from the setting listing your child's achievements, read it carefully and ask for an explanation if there is too much jargon. Talk with your child, if he is old enough to respond and understand, in a relaxed manner about his achievements and allow him to lead the 'chat' so that he feels valued.

It is important to avoid any sense of pressure to achieve on a young child, particularly as the child who stammers is likely to be very sensitive to any stress or anxiety. At this stage, parents and Early Years workers need to support the child's growing confidence and self-esteem.

Typical reports on the 'stepping stones' may read like this

Personal, social and emotional development (PSED)

John has settled into nursery very easily. He has made excellent progress in all areas.

John displays high levels of involvement in all activities; he forms good relationships with adults and his peers and he has displayed a developing awareness of his own needs and feelings as well as showing sensitivity to the needs, views and feelings of others.

Communication, language and literacy (CLL)

John does stammer but has the confidence to communicate his ideas to adults and other children, showing awareness of his audience. He has worked very hard to develop an excellent phonic knowledge within his reading and writing. He is not afraid to attempt writing more complex words. He has had satisfactory results in his spelling test.

Mathematical development (MD)

John can recognise, count and write numbers beyond 15. He relates addition to combining two groups and relates subtracting to taking away. John uses positional language accurately and has been learning about the properties of solid and flat shapes. He is confident in this subject.

Knowledge and understanding of the world (KUW)

John has shown interest in his environment. He has made several trips outside school, which include The Strawberry Farm, Pacific Parade shops and garage, St Paul's Church and The Indian Sun restaurant.

John has used his senses when investigating the seasonal changes in our school garden. He contributed dried leaves to our collage.

John has found out about football matches long ago and is confident to talk about past and present events in his own life. He has shown competence when using the computer and has had fun with our computer 'Space Creature.' He made his own fancy hat and sandwiches for our picnic in the park.

Physical development (PD)

John moves with control and coordination in Physical Development lessons. He has used a variety of small and large equipment, learning a range of basic skills. He recognises the importance of keeping healthy and is developing an awareness of the changes that happen to our bodies when we are active. He took part in our Superschools Get Fit fundraiser.

Creative development (CD)

John enjoys building and constructing using a wide range of objects. John has enjoyed learning new songs and using percussion instruments in our music sessions. He draws with great detail and good use of colour. He likes painting and had fun during our Messy Play and Arts and Crafts sessions. He uses his imagination in art, music, dance and role-play.

John has been Star of the Week. He has made an excellent start here. He is kind, caring and considerate to other children and copes very well with his speech difficulties when they arise. He is able to express any worries that he has about these to me so that I can deal with them. He has also been helped by his parents and therapist to make good progress this year. John has been a pleasure to teach and we wish him well in his new class.

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Text for this page: Reports on progress
Text for this whole section: What is taught in a pre-school setting