Early Learning Goals (ELGs) | EYFS

EYFS definition

Early Learning Goals (ELGs) are the 17 descriptions used to assess children’s development at the end of England’s EYFS, usually at the end of Reception. They sit across the seven areas of learning and form the basis of the EYFS Profile.

What the goals describe

Each ELG describes an expected level of development. Examples include Speaking, Fine Motor Skills, Word Reading and The Natural World. For each goal, a teacher makes an “expected” or “emerging” judgement using their knowledge of the child.

The goals provide a shared reference for this assessment. They do not describe everything a child has learned, or everything an early years curriculum might include.

The goals and everyday learning

A Reception class might explore stories through conversation, role play, drawing and learning to read and write. Some of that learning contributes to the literacy goals, while children also develop interests, ideas and knowledge beyond the assessed descriptions.

Across nursery and Reception, curriculum planning follows the broader educational programmes and children’s learning needs. The ELGs are end-of-phase assessment descriptions, rather than a sequence of targets for babies and younger children.

How judgements are made

Current guidance uses a best-fit approach: teachers consider the whole description of each goal against children’s established learning. This involves professional interpretation of the criteria, rather than treating each bullet as a separate box to tick.

Information from everyday learning, families and colleagues can help build that picture. An “emerging” outcome means the child is not yet at the expected level for that goal; further detail helps the Year 1 teacher understand the support and learning needed next.

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