Early Learning Goals

• The level of development children should be expected to have attained by the end of the EYFS is defined by the early learning goals (ELGs) as set out below.

• The ELGs should not be used as a curriculum or in any way to limit the wide variety of rich experiences that are crucial to child development, from being read to frequently to playing with friends.

• Instead, the ELGs should support teachers8 to make a holistic, best-fit judgement about a child’s development, and their readiness for year 1.

• When forming a judgement about whether an individual child is at the expected level of development, teachers should draw on their knowledge of the child and their own expert professional judgement. This is sufficient evidence to assess a child’s individual level of development in relation to each of the ELGs. Sources of written or photographic evidence are not required, and teachers are not required to record evidence.