Learning and development

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) progress check, usually carried out by a child’s key person, is a statutory requirement for nurseries and childminders delivering childcare to two-year-olds within the EYFS framework. The health and development review, at age two to two-and-a-half, is part of the Healthy Child Programme, and is delivered by health professionals. Whilst we recognise that children perform better in familiar surroundings such as their home or nursery, the two-year progress check often takes place in unfamiliar surroundings, which means the child may not truly show what they can achieve. The integrated review will bring these two assessments together providing a more complete picture of the child.

All children aged two years who are in childcare should receive a ‘Together at Two’ progress check before their third birthday, this may take place in the home, nursery or childminders. More often they take place in a health centre or Family Hub.

We have outlined the process to promote the sharing of this information at the child’s ‘Together at Two’ Progress Check:

• The check should be completed by the child's key worker at the nursery, preschool or childminder.
• Ideally the check should be completed before the child has his/her two-year check with the Health Visitor.
• The check is designed to identify things they are doing well and things they might need help with.
• The completed two-year progress check must be shared with parents and any parental comments included.
• Parents will then share the completed progress check at their appointment with the relevant health professional.
• The Health professional can use the assessment provided by the childcare provider to support the healthy child check.