Gathering Information for Baseline

As we approach the last few weeks of term (hurrah!) we find ourselves juggling even more plates… report writing, end of term celebrations (albeit on-line!) and finally looking ahead to September and getting ready for our new starters.

We all know that Induction will have to look different this year but it is still vital to collect information from parents so that you can set up your environment and plan your learning to get you all off to a flying start!

To save you time we have put together some questions that you can:-

Send home
Give to other settings
Use as a prompt when you talk to parents

The questions focus on the Characteristics of Effective Learning, the Prime Areas, Maths and Literacy which and focus on key information that will help you make informed judgements about where children are when they start with you.

Characteristics of Effective Learning

Please tell us a little bit about your child’s personal qualities. It would be really helpful if you could write a few lines about the following:

How inquisitive are they?
How far will they take a risk?
Do they pretend when they are playing? Please give a couple of examples
How easily distracted are they?
Will they keep trying if they don’t succeed straight away or do they tend to give up?
How good are they at solving a problem? Please give an example if you can

Personal Social & Emotional Development

Please tell us a little bit about your child’s social and emotional development. It would be really helpful if you could write a few lines about the following:

How do they respond to new people and new situations?
How are they when you leave them?
How do they tell you how they are feeling?
Do they usually play on their own or do they prefer to play with others?
Do they chat during their play and what sort of things do they say?
How are they getting on with learning to share and take turns?
How do they respond to rules or boundaries?
What do they usually choose to play with?
Can they choose what to play with independently or do they need your help?

Independence Skills

What do they use to feed themselves and to have a drink?
Which clothes can they put on or take off?
How independent are they in toileting?

Communication & Language

Please tell us a little bit about your child’s communication. It would be really helpful if you could write a few lines about the following:

Do they join in with any rhymes or songs – which ones?
What are their favourite stories?
Please give an example of instructions they can follow eg “get your coat”
Which, if any, of these question words can they answer ‘who’, ‘what’ or ‘where?’ Please give an example if you can
How many words do they usually use to communicate? (single words, a few words, sentences) Please give an example if you can

Physical Development

Please tell us a little bit about your child’s physical skills. It would be really helpful if you could write a few lines about the following:

What does your child typically do at the park?
What do they do in a large open space?
How is their balance on play equipment?
What can they do with a ball?
How do they hold tools eg crayons, knife and fork, small beads? (between their fingers? in the palm of their hand?)