Practitioner resources: children's learning and development
Find practical tools, guidance and progress tracking resources to support children's learning and development.
These resources can help practitioners understand, plan for and extend children's learning. They are designed to support rich learning experiences, positive outcomes and confident work with children and families.
On this page
Quality and attainment support
We offer a wide range of support to help settings develop high-quality provision.
This includes provision audits, joint observations, curriculum planning, coaching, mentoring and training.
The resources below provide guidance and support for early years and childcare providers.
- Early childhood services offer to schools [PDF]
- Early years specialist teacher information for parents and consent form [Word]
- Quality and attainment team service standards [PDF]
- RAG rating document [PDF]
- Professional development pathway for baby room practitioners [PDF]
Tracking children’s progress
These resources support practitioners to observe, assess and respond to children's developmental needs.
They support early identification, informed planning and meaningful conversations with families. Together, they help ensure children receive timely and targeted support across all areas of development.
Understanding children and their families
This document supports induction and conversations with families to help practitioners understand children's experiences and plan appropriate support and provision.
Me, my family and my community [Word]
WellComm speech and language toolkit
WellComm is a speech and language toolkit used for screening and intervention in the early years.
Find out more about WellComm and access the Speech and Language WellComm tracker form.
Identifying and supporting emerging needs
These resources support the identification, assessment and monitoring of children's developmental needs.
- Best practice for supporting children's emerging needs [PDF]
- Identifying and supporting children’s developmental needs in early years settings [Word]
- Early years child development tool [PDF]
- Early years intervention record sheet (green form) [Word]
- Speech and language communication in the early years progress monitoring sheet for children with EAL skills [PDF]
Two-year progress summaries
Templates and guidance to support completion of the progress check at age two.
Development Matters
- Template for 2 year progress summary using Development Matters Dec 22 [Word]
- Guidance for 2 year progress summary document using Development Matters Dec 22 [PDF]
Birth to 5 Matters
- Template for 2 year progress summary template Birth to 5 Matters Dec 22 [Word]
- Guidance for 2 year progress summary template Birth to 5 Matters Dec 22 [PDF]
Speech and language support
Resources to support referrals to and access to speech and language services.
- Nottingham children’s speech and language therapy (SLT) service request for support [Word]
- Home Talk referral to the early intervention speech and language service for children aged 2 to 2.5 years [PDF]
- Speech and language therapy referral checklist (editable) [Word]
Further guidance and resources
These resources provide additional guidance and support for children's learning, development and communication.
- Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework (GOV.UK) - Statutory guidance for early years providers, including learning, development and assessment requirements.
- Resources for childcare providers (Your Notts Directory) - Resources and services for childcare providers in Nottinghamshire.
- Children's Speech and Language Therapy (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust) - Speech and language therapy information, referrals and support.
- Early Words Matter (National Literacy Trust) - Resources to support early communication, language and literacy.
