Sentia Early Learning in Melbourne’s CBD has been using the Early Years Learning and Assessment Tool (EYALT) since joining the pilot in 2022.
The EYALT is an online resource co-designed with early childhood teachers to help understand each child’s unique strengths, interests and abilities.
Sentia uses it alongside the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) to support their assessment processes.
Supporting assessment and planning
Angela Hunt, centre director at Sentia said they use the EYALT as part of their individual assessment of each child.
‘We use it to identify individual goals, monitor children’s progress, guide our planning and teaching practices, and support meaningful conversations with families,’ Angela said.
The tool has helped the service to develop a consistent approach to documenting children’s learning. They have found this particularly helpful for newly graduated teachers who are developing their assessment skills.
The EYALT reports also help the teachers at the service to build on children’s learning as they move between rooms. They use previous assessments to understand a child’s development and continue working towards their goals.
‘It can help create a clearer learning journey for the child and support continuity of learning,’ Linda Wilson, lead early childhood teacher said.
Embedding EYALT across the service
Using EYALT across the service has been an important part of Sentia’s approach.
‘Because children’s goals and assessment information can carry over from one year to the next, it is important that educators have a shared understanding of what the goals mean and how they are being assessed,’ Linda said.
The service prioritises training to support this. The team make sure all new staff complete EYALT training and work alongside experienced teachers while they build their confidence using the tool.
The team highlights the importance of using the EYALT alongside the VEYLDF.
They found the EYALT report might indicate a child is ‘developing’ in areas such as symbol or text numeracy. By considering the results alongside daily observations they can more accurately assess a child’s development, and plan for intentional teaching.
Before using the EYALT, teachers at the service were writing individual assessments. The team said using the EYALT has ensured a more consistent, evidence-based approach.
An investment that pays off
Linda said an assessment across all 8 modules can take about an hour for each child. However, the team has found that the initial investment can save time later.
‘Sometimes if there is uncertainty, we need to have internal discussions and re-observe the child’.
The reports also support them to prepare for parent-teacher interviews and conversations about school readiness and help complete their Transition Learning and Development Statements.
‘Parents have appreciated a clear and easy-to-understand picture of their child’s development and being able to see how their child’s individual strengths and goals are being supported,’ Linda said.
Find out more
For more information about the EYALT, refer to: Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool (EYALT).
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