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Observation Over Grades

Young children should be observed, not ranked.

Under six, assessment should help the child. We use everyday classroom evidence: play, conversation, work samples, routines, photos, teacher notes and parent dialogue.

Ask NAS Parent hub
Observe Document Reflect Plan Share
A child working on a wooden puzzle while a teacher writes quiet notesIllustrative image
Good guidance starts from what children actually do.
A child’s clay model, painting and block photograph gathered for a learning storyIllustrative image

What the research says only matters if you can see it in the room.

Observation Over Grades

Plain Answer

What you will want to know.

Assessment should benefit the child.

The point is not to sort children. It is to understand what each child is ready for next.

Real moments are better evidence.

Play, conversation, drawing, movement, peer repair and routines tell teachers more than a one-time test.

Portfolios make growth visible.

Photos, work samples, child words and teacher notes help parents see progress without comparison.

Make It Visible

What you would see in the classroom.

Less theory, more of what you can actually notice on a visit or at home.

At NAS

Growth Over Grades means teachers observe, document, moderate and communicate in plain language.

At home

Notice effort, new words, independence, kindness, problem-solving and confidence rather than only correct answers.

Watch for

More sustained play, clearer explanations, better transitions, stronger marks, richer stories and thoughtful questions.

Ask "what did you notice?"

This question tells you more about thinking than "what did you get right?"

Save process, not only product.

A scribble, block plan or funny story can show real development.

Avoid comparing children.

Children grow unevenly. Comparison often hides the next helpful step.

Parent FAQ

Answers you can come back to.

The questions parents ask us most, answered the way we would at the gate.

Young children develop unevenly and context matters. Observation helps teachers support growth without pressure or labelling.

Teachers watch play, language, movement, routines, relationships, work samples and readiness over time.

It should describe strengths, growth, next steps and helpful home-school support in clear language, not only marks.

Further reading

If you would like to read more, these are the public sources our teachers draw on for this topic.

Related Parent Guides

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