Reception report

[Erica33]

Hi, my ds is summer born and has just had his first report having completed the first year of reception. I'm a bit worried about the scores he's been given on the profile; he's only meeting expectations (2) on 8 things but is 'emerging' on another 9, including speaking, which we've always thought he was good at. To me, it suggests he's not doing very well at all. At the two parents' evenings we've been to the teacher was quite positive about him and didn't say she had any major concerns. It seems hard that he's being assessed against kids who are almost 6 when he's not yet 5 (birthday is at the end of the month). Does anyone with any experience of the reception assessment have any advice? What would you suggest I could do to help him catch up? Thanks

I have a summer born, by the end of primary it is much less noticeable. Reception is very much getting foundations, learning the routine, socialising, etc. If there is an issue the teachers will tell you. Keep playing and reading with him.

You can easily find the EYFS targets online, which you might find useful in comparing the teacher assessment with your own assessment of where he is against each category. It is quite possible that, for some of the categories, the teacher has not seen your son fulfil that criterion, which could explain the ‘working towards’ grade. It’s also worth bearing in mind that these are the expectations at 60 months, and your son is not quite 60 months old.

Regarding speech, is your son particularly shy? Perhaps he hasn’t opened up to the teacher – although that would be a concern after a whole year.

Did the report contain any written comments? Did they highlight particular areas of concern? The flavour of the comments would be a good guide. I’d probably try to catch a word with the teacher this week, to check whether there are any specific concerns, and to ask whether there is anything you could usefully do with him in the summer.

Its not uncommon for summer born children, especially boys, to miss out on the end of year targets. His teacher should have given you some warning on which areas he wasn't meeting expectations in though and let you know how he will be supported to catch up.