Starting Points

[Maza]

I'm thinking I need to redesign my starting points form.

I used to do a few sentences for each of the 7 areas of learning (using things the parents have told me and things I have observed on visits).

Now that I am starting with babies just over a year old I am thinking that I might just do the three prime areas, as there is so much overlap at this age. For example, a child spent quite a while investigating stacking cups - this could come under PSED, Maths or Physical.

Also, do you put next steps on your starting points?

[moggy]

I do a starting points report, only prime areas for under 3s (any comments for specific areas can be incorporated into Prime areas). I collect input from parents and base it on my initial obs from first couple of weeks or so (depending on how child settles).
I do do Next Steps on starting points report, but all my next steps are for the adults not the child - this seems to be the way we should be moving to with new EYFS, I heard on one of the webinars. So it is not 'next step is for child to do xyz' (because child development is not linear and they may develop in a miriad of directions). Instead, it is 'Over the next 6 months we can support Freddy by...' (encouraging...., teaching...., supporting him to...., Providing experiences to... etc), so that includes parents and CMer.