EYFS Reception Report Comments: Characteristics of Effective Learning

The Characteristics of Effective Learning describe how a child learns across every area: playing and exploring, active learning through concentrating and keeping on trying, and creating and thinking critically by having their own ideas and making links.

Below are 13 sample sentences for Reception (FS2): two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Expected: secure and confident / Expected / Emerging: developing well / Emerging: beginning), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 173 characteristics of effective learning sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.

Jump to: Expected: secure and confident · Expected · Emerging: developing well · Emerging: beginning · Writing tips

Student name Pronouns

Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Expected: secure and confident S

Strengths

[Name] independently plans [his/her/their] own projects, such as designing a home for a minibeast, and explains what [he/she/they] will need and why.
[Name] makes thoughtful links between experiences, for example noticing that the ice outside melted just like the ice lolly at snack time.

Next step

In preparation for Year 1, [Name] could set [himself/herself/themselves] a small learning challenge each week and talk about how it went.

Expected E

Strengths

Before starting in the construction area, [Name] can usually say what [he/she/they] would like to build and what [he/she/they] might need.
[Name] is able to make links between experiences, for example spotting shapes from maths sessions in buildings on a walk.

Next step

To prepare for Year 1, we will help [Name] stay focused on a task for a little longer before choosing the next activity.

Emerging: developing well D

Strengths

With encouragement, [Name] is learning to plan what [he/she/they] would like to make, sometimes drawing a quick picture before building.
With some support, [Name] is making links between experiences, such as noticing that the leaves on the playground came from the tree by the gate.

Next step

Short timed tasks that grow a little longer each week will help [Name] build focus for the busy days in Year 1.

Emerging: beginning B

Strengths

With modelling, [Name] is beginning to say what [he/she/they] would like to make before starting, such as a house or a rocket.
With adult support, [Name] is beginning to notice simple links, such as spotting that a toy in the water tray floats just like a bath toy at home.

Next step

We will celebrate [Name]'s small successes with a sticker or a Wow moment, to build [his/her/their] enthusiasm for having a go.

Support at home

Talking together about how your child made something, and what they might change next time, helps them think about their learning.

How to write characteristics of effective learning comments for Reception (FS2)

Describe what the child does when something goes wrong, such as a tower falling or a word proving hard to read: do they try another way? Name the strategy they chose.
Look for links between areas, such as using phonics to label a model or counting in the class shop. One example shows parents that learning carries into play, not only adult-led sessions.
Note whether the child plans and reviews their own play, explaining what they will do and what worked. A next step like talking through a plan before building suits the move to Year 1.

Watch out: Avoid repeating what you wrote under PSED or another area. Keep this comment on how the child learns, such as exploring, persisting and having their own ideas, with one example from any area of play.

At the most secure level, words such as confidently, independently and in a range of situations fit, backed by one example from play. At the earliest level, name what the child can already do and the support that helps, such as modelling or a visual prompt. Let the observation show the level rather than restating it.

What Characteristics of Effective Learning covers

In these comments, characteristics of effective learning covers these behaviours:

Playing and exploring: finds out and explores, plays with what they know, is willing to have a go
Active learning: is involved and concentrates, keeps trying, enjoys achieving what they set out to do
Creating and thinking critically: has own ideas, makes links, chooses ways to do things

More EYFS comments

How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.