EYFS Nursery Report Comments: Understanding the World
Understanding the World covers talking about family and the past, people in the local community, different cultures, celebrations and countries, and exploring the natural world: plants, animals, seasons and how materials change, such as ice melting.
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 understanding the world 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
- In the outdoor area, [Name] confidently digs for worms in the soil and explains where they like to hide.
- On walks around the local area, [Name] names familiar places such as the library, the shops and the park, and describes the route in detail.
Next step
- A next step is for [Name] to bring in a photo of a family celebration and talk about it at carpet time while friends listen.
Expected E
Strengths
- [Name] enjoys planting seeds with [his/her/their] key person and can explain that the seeds need water to grow.
- [Name] can describe familiar places near school, such as the park, the shops or the church, and talk about what happens there.
Next step
- Sharing stories about different homes and families will help [Name] talk about what is the same and different.
Emerging: developing well D
Strengths
- During outdoor play, [Name] collects leaves and conkers and, with encouragement, talks about their colours and shapes.
- On short walks near school, [Name] is developing the words to describe familiar places such as the park, shop and road crossing.
Next step
- Small-world play with people who help us, such as a fire engine or ambulance, will give [Name] more chances to talk about jobs in the community.
Emerging: beginning B
Strengths
- During songs about people who help us, [Name] joins in with actions and is beginning to recognise a police officer or nurse in pictures.
- In familiar situations, [Name] can name places that are part of [his/her/their] day, such as home, school and the park.
Next step
- [Name] could explore natural objects such as pine cones and shells in a feely bag with [his/her/their] key person, naming how each one feels.
Support at home
- Talking to grandparents or older relatives about the toys and games they played with as children helps your child see how life has changed.
How to write understanding the world comments for Nursery (FS1)
- Use the child's own discoveries: a snail in the outdoor area, puddles after rain or bubbles in the water tray. Describe what they noticed or asked, since curiosity is the main evidence at this age.
- Link to the child's own life, such as talking about family members or a visit to grandparents, while keeping personal details general and leaving out anything a family may prefer not to see written down.
- Mention a change the child watched closely, such as cress growing on the windowsill or ice melting. Parents can repeat it with free household items, like freezing water in a pot.
Watch out: Avoid listing the topics the class covered, such as we learned about dinosaurs. Say what this child noticed, asked or explained, and suggest a free outing, like a walk to spot seasonal changes.
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 Understanding the World covers
In these comments, understanding the world covers these behaviours:
- Past and Present: talks about family members and the past, compares then and now
- People, Culture and Communities: describes the local area, knows about different communities and countries
- The Natural World: explores and talks about plants, animals, seasons and changing materials
More EYFS comments
- Communication and Language, Nursery (FS1)
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Nursery (FS1)
- Physical Development, Nursery (FS1)
- Literacy, Nursery (FS1)
- Mathematics, Nursery (FS1)
- Understanding the World, Reception (FS2)
- Expressive Arts and Design, Nursery (FS1)
- Characteristics of Effective Learning, Nursery (FS1)
- Opening and closing sentences
- All EYFS skills and grade bands
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How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.