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3.1What is the foundation stage profile?
The foundation stage profile is a way of summing up each child’s development and learning needs at the end of the foundation stage. For most children, this is at the end of the reception year (year R) in primary school. Others may be assessed in settings such as nursery schools and private, voluntary and independent settings (PVI settings), including playgroups, that receive government funding.
The foundation stage profile is based on practitioners’ ongoing observations and assessments in all six areas of learning as set out in Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage, available on the QCA website at www.qca.org.uk/223.html or by calling DCSF publications on 0845 6022260 and quoting reference QCA/00/587.
Each child’s level of development should be recorded against the 13 assessment scales derived from the stepping stones and the early learning goals. Judgements against these scales should be derived from observation of consistent and independent behaviour. They should be predominantly based on observations of children’s self-initiated activities.
It is expected that all adults who interact with the child should contribute to the process and that account will be taken of information provided by parents.