Nursery World - Record results

I have recently started taking Nursery World regularly and I have been impressed with its articles and comments, which have been useful to my research into appropriate learning and teaching in the early years. I was particularly struck by June O'Sullivan's article on record-keeping ('Take note', 25 July). She emphasises some vital points - that child development should be understood, that record-keeping should demonstrate progression and achievement, that each statement is supported by evidence and that tick lists have little value on their own, that records should base targets on achievement, not just list things that cannot be done.

I was particularly struck by June O'Sullivan's article on record-keeping ('Take note', 25 July). She emphasises some vital points - that child development should be understood, that record-keeping should demonstrate progression and achievement, that each statement is supported by evidence and that tick lists have little value on their own, that records should base targets on achievement, not just list things that cannot be done.

The Foundation Stage Profile is to replace Baseline Assessment and is to be completed at the end of the academic year from July next year. What is being advocated here is what is expected in the new profile. If nurseries provided reception staff with the type of records that Ms O'Sullivan describes, they would provide a firm starting point for the next stage of record-keeping - the Profile, which is also based on continuous observation and assessment. There is a need here for some standardisation of documentation for nursery transfer.

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