Foundation learning pedagogy and practice monthly update: September 2026

This month’s update brings together a range of resources, professional learning opportunities and practical examples to support assessment practice in the early years.

24 August 2026

As we begin a new academic year, September provides an opportunity to reflect on how assessment and observation help us understand, support and celebrate children’s learning and development. Effective observation is at the heart of responsive practice, allowing practitioners to notice children’s interests, progress and next steps in learning.

Assessment

Assessment in the early years is a cycle of observing, through noticing, analysing and responding to what children do, say and show us through play and everyday experiences.

The following resources provide practical support for practitioners:

Assessment arrangements for funded non-maintained nursery settings: guidance to support assessment practice in nursery provision. Schools are also encouraged to use to support consistent practice.
Supporting learner progression: assessment guidance: helping practitioners understand how assessment supports progression.
Sharing information about progress with learners and their families: practical advice on communicating with parents and carers about their children’s learning and development.
'Professional Learning: Observation': a dedicated module exploring effective observation techniques and practice.
'Professional learning course: Notice, Analyse and Respond': supporting practitioners to use observations to inform planning and provision.
Practitioners may find the 'Care Inspectorate Wales guidance' a useful resource to support evaluation and reflective practice.

Learning from Practice

Looking for inspiration from your peers? 5 case studies demonstrate how thoughtful observation can strengthen children’s learning experiences:

The 'Effective observations: a case study of Cylch Meithrin Awel y Mynydd' shows how meaningful observations can be used to support children's learning, development, well-being and individual needs in everyday practice.
The 'Monmouth Cluster’s initial assessment arrangements for nursery and reception case study' and 'Chuckles Day Care: a case study on their curriculum and assessment journey' showcase how settings and schools across Wales are developing their approaches to curriculum design, assessment and progression through collaboration, observation and child-centred practice.
A childminder at Pili Pala childminding reflects on the benefits of observing children and following their interests.
The 'Observing children in the early years' case study explores the role observation plays in supporting babies’ and young children’s development and progression.

These examples highlight how everyday observations can provide rich insights into children’s learning, well-being and development.

Supporting Early Childhood Play, Learning and Care

A suite of resources continues to support practitioners working with younger children, including 'Assessment Arrangements for 0 to 3 Year Olds in Wales' and 'Early Childhood Play, Learning and Care Reflective Practice Toolkit'.

These resources, along with the 'Reflective practice and responsive planning' resource encourage reflective practice and strengthen assessment approaches across the early childhood sector.

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

The Welsh Government has announced a new Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan, recognising the vital role of early years practitioners in laying strong foundations for children's communication, literacy and numeracy development from the earliest years. Further details will follow in due course.