EYFS Nursery Report Comments: Communication and Language
Communication and Language covers how a child listens, pays attention and understands, and how they speak: following instructions, asking questions, joining in back-and-forth conversation, using new vocabulary, and explaining or retelling events in sentences.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Nursery (FS1): 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 communication and language 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
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Expected: secure and confident S
Strengths
- During choosing time, [Name] talks through [his/her/their] plans for play and describes what [he/she/they] might build or make.
- [Name] recounts events from home and school in the right order, using past, present and future forms accurately.
Next step
- A useful next step is for [Name] to tell [his/her/their] key person what happened in play and what [he/she/they] might try next time.
Expected E
Strengths
- At tidy-up time, [Name] usually notices the signal and follows the simple instructions given by adults.
- [Name] retells simple events from the weekend in order, generally using past tenses correctly.
Next step
- [Name] could practise taking turns in conversation with [his/her/their] key person, listening fully before replying.
Emerging: developing well D
Strengths
- With gentle reminders, [Name] is learning to listen to an adult's instruction at tidy-up time and help put toys away.
- [Name] sometimes talks about events from home and is starting to use past forms such as went and played.
Next step
- Choosing activities from a picture board and saying the choice aloud will help [Name] build short sentences.
Emerging: beginning B
Strengths
- With adult support, [Name] is beginning to respond to the tidy-up song and help put toys away.
- In familiar situations, [Name] is beginning to answer simple questions that start with who and what.
Next step
- Sitting near an adult during songs and stories will help [Name] pick out the words and join in a little more.
Support at home
- Giving your child simple two-step instructions, such as fetch your shoes and then your coat, is good practice for careful listening.
How to write communication and language comments for Nursery (FS1)
- Paraphrase something the child actually said, such as a request at snack time or a comment in the role-play area. A short phrase in their own words shows parents exactly where their talk is now.
- Separate understanding from speaking for younger or quieter children. Note that they follow a simple instruction, like fetching their coat, or point to answer, even if they say only a few words.
- Mention where talk flows most easily, such as with their key person or outdoors with one friend, so parents know the conditions that help and can recreate them at home.
Watch out: Avoid treating a quiet child as having limited language. Describe what they understand and how they communicate in a comfortable setting, and keep any speech concerns for a private conversation with parents and carers.
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 Communication and Language covers
In these comments, communication and language covers these behaviours:
- Listening, Attention and Understanding: listens attentively, responds to what they hear, asks questions
- Speaking: talks in well-formed sentences, uses new vocabulary, explains and retells
- joins in back-and-forth conversation with adults and friends
More EYFS comments
- Communication and Language, Reception (FS2)
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Nursery (FS1)
- Physical Development, Nursery (FS1)
- Literacy, Nursery (FS1)
- Mathematics, Nursery (FS1)
- Understanding the World, Nursery (FS1)
- Expressive Arts and Design, Nursery (FS1)
- Characteristics of Effective Learning, Nursery (FS1)
- Opening and closing sentences
- All EYFS skills and grade bands
- Build a comment with the comment picker
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.