Reception reports are a different job from any other year group. The children are four and five, parents are often reading a school report for the first time, and you are describing a child against the Early Learning Goals while trying to sound like a person rather than a framework.
The best Reception comments do three things. They say something true and specific about the child. They translate EYFS language into plain English. And they tell parents what a next step looks like at home. The phrases below are starting points: change the detail so it could only be about this child.
Communication and language
- “[Name] is a confident talker who enjoys telling the class about what she has done at the weekend, and she listens carefully when others share their ideas.”
- “He is beginning to use full sentences and new vocabulary from our topics, and he asks questions when he wants to know more.”
- “She follows instructions with several parts and is learning to wait for her turn in a group conversation.”
- “[Name] is quieter in whole-class settings but talks readily in small groups and during play. We are building his confidence to share with the whole class.”
Personal, social and emotional development
- “[Name] has settled into school life beautifully. She separates from her grown-ups happily and has formed friendships with several children.”
- “He is learning to manage big feelings, and he is increasingly able to tell an adult what is wrong rather than becoming upset.”
- “She shares resources, takes turns and is kind to others who are finding things difficult.”
- “[Name] is becoming more independent with dressing, toileting and tidying up, and he is proud when he manages things by himself.”
Literacy
- “[Name] knows all of her Phase 2 sounds and is blending them to read simple words. Reading a little each day at home will help this become fluent.”
- “He loves sharing stories and can retell familiar ones in order using his own words.”
- “She is writing her name and is beginning to write simple words and captions by listening for the sounds. Her letter formation is becoming more controlled.”
- “[Name] is still learning to recognise some sounds. We are revisiting these in small groups and you can help by practising them in short, playful bursts.”
Mathematics
- “[Name] counts reliably to 10 and is beginning to understand that the last number tells us how many there are.”
- “He recognises small amounts without counting and enjoys finding number patterns in his play.”
- “She is learning that numbers are made of smaller numbers, for example that 5 is made of 3 and 2, and she uses objects to show her thinking.”
- “[Name] is becoming more confident with shapes and with words such as bigger, smaller, heavier and lighter.”
Understanding the world and expressive arts
- “[Name] is curious about the world around her and asks thoughtful questions during our topics and outdoor learning.”
- “He enjoys building and making, and he talks about what he plans to create before he starts.”
- “She sings with enthusiasm, joins in with rhymes and uses her imagination richly in role play.”
The characteristics of effective learning
These are often the most meaningful part of a Reception report, because they describe how the child learns.
- “[Name] shows real determination. When something does not work the first time, she tries a different way.”
- “He becomes deeply involved in activities that interest him and can concentrate for long periods.”
- “She enjoys having a go at new things and is proud to show what she has learned.”
Writing the “next steps” line
Keep it to one or two things parents can actually do. “Practise sounds for five minutes a day” is useful. “Continue to develop phonological awareness” is not. If you are unsure whether a phrase is parent-friendly, imagine reading it aloud at the classroom door.
A note on honesty
If a child is working below the expected level, say so kindly and early, and say what you are doing about it. Parents would always rather hear it in the summer report with a plan than in Year 1 without one. Our guide to writing reports for pupils you are worried about covers the wording in more detail.
Staffroom can handle the first draft for you. Add a few notes about each child and Staffroom writes a specific, warm comment in your voice, ready for you to edit. Try the free comment generator with no account needed.