Early Years Assessment of Potential

Toddler reading a mobile phone

Potential Plus UK has put together the Early Years Assessment of Potential for children aged 3 to 4 years old, to enable parents to understand the abilities of their children and how to support them at home and in their early years setting. The assessment consists of recognised norm-referenced tests of language understanding in different areas of development, hand-eye coordination and sensory processing as well an informal play session. The latter are standardised table-based tests. We also collect background information from their parents.

Parents receive brief verbal feedback soon after the assessment, and a detailed report within 3 weeks. Recommendations in the report include parenting skills relating to children who are highly able, strategies for supporting their child’s abilities at home and developing weaker areas and, if relevant, guidelines of how the nursery/preschool setting can support their child.

What is the Early Years Assessment of Potential?

The Early Years Assessment of Potential is a service provided by Potential Plus UK to assess language understanding, reading, numerical understanding, socio-emotional language understanding, hand-eye coordination and sensory processing in young children. The results of these tests are viewed in a holistic way, taking into account scores in standardised tests as well as play-based observations of the child and background information from the parents.

The assessment takes place at Potential Plus UK’s central office in Milton Keynes.

Who is the Early Years Assessment of Potential For?

The Early Years Assessment of Potential is aimed at children aged 3 to 4 years who have not started compulsory education. Its aim is to give parents an understanding of their child’s abilities in relation to other children of the same age.

Parents typically use the service when they feel that they need help for understanding and supporting their child’s advanced abilities at home, and, if relevant, need guidelines on how their child should be supported in their early years setting. Where the assessment is needed to provide advice to support a child’s start in formal education, then the High Learning Potential Assessment is necessary. Feel free to contact us to discuss your needs.

How Much Does the Early Years Assessment of Potential Cost?

  • Family Plus Members: £495 including VAT
  • Family Essential, Associate Family Members or Non-members: £625 including VAT (pro rata upgrades from Family Essential to Family Plus memberships are available. Associate members and non-members are recommended to consider taking out Family Plus Membership)
  • Eligible Family Plus members who would struggle to meet the cost of an assessment can apply to the Scholarship Fund for assistance.

How Would a Child Benefit from Participating in the Early Years Assessment of Potential?

Participating in the Early Years Assessment of Potential is enjoyable for most children. On arrival, the child and parents meet the assessor together. When the child is comfortable, the child joins the assessor in the assessment room and the assessor intersperses playing with the child and the formal activities in the test. The child can see their parents at any time and breaks are provided, including a 30-40 minute lunch break, to enable the child to perform their best. Children are allowed to have their favourite toy, a drink and snacks brought from home during the assessment. This assessment typically lasts 3 hours including breaks, but some children need less or more time.

What Do Parents Receive at the End of the Early Years Assessment of Potential?

At the end of the assessment, parents are given a brief feedback. A full report detailing all the results and recommendations is received within 3 weeks of the assessment date (4 to 5 weeks during school holidays). A follow-up telephone/online consultation is then booked in for parents to ask any questions of the assessor. Afterwards, further support can be received from the Information and Advice Service, free for members.

How to Book the Early Years Assessment of Potential

If you would like to book the Early Years Assessment of Potential, please telephone Potential Plus UK on 01908 646433

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Schools benefit from access to our advice line, online resources, members area, newsletter, workshops, webinars-on-demand, and associate family membership for their parents.