EYFS Learning Walk and Work Scrutiny Bundle

Monitoring in the early years works best when it looks at children’s learning. These two editable templates give EYFS leaders, headteachers and early years coordinators a clear, proportionate structure for learning walks and work scrutiny, so you can see what’s working in your setting, spot what needs developing and give staff feedback that moves practice forward.

Both templates are built around the EYFS statutory framework, the seven areas of learning and the characteristics of effective learning. They work alongside Development Matters or Birth to 5 Matters, whichever your setting uses.

EYFS Learning Walk Template

The learning walk template takes you from planning to feedback. It starts by asking which emerging themes and areas of learning you want to focus on, then gives you a timetable to plan visits around routines, sessions and staffing. Prompts suggest including a snack or mealtime in the walk, since these moments show a lot about provision and care.

The observation form follows intent, implementation and impact. It covers session and continuous provision planning, teaching and modelling, in-the-moment feedback, high-quality interactions and vocabulary development, and whether children are curious, engaged and using what they have learned. There are dedicated sections on behaviour, relationships, inclusion and safeguarding, including prompts on vulnerable children, children with SEND and those known to children’s social care.

EYFS Work Scrutiny Template

The work scrutiny template helps you review learning journals, children’s books and adult-led and child-initiated folders without falling into an evidence-gathering exercise. It reminds leaders that the EYFS framework does not require excessive paperwork or physical evidence to support practitioners’ judgements, and keeps the focus on the quality of children’s learning.

Clear criteria guide you through four areas. You’ll look for evidence of the impact of teaching, progress across areas of learning and for groups such as SEND, EAL and pupils eligible for early years pupil premium, the quality of evidence and how well it reflects progress towards the early learning goals, and the place of children’s and parents’ voice.

Built-in Triangulation

Each template includes a triangulation table that links your findings to other monitoring sources. You can check what you saw against your SEF, school improvement plan and Ofsted report or report card, long-term planning, summative data, staff and pupil voice and the learning environment. It gives you a joined-up picture of quality in your EYFS and a clear story to share with governors, trustees and inspectors.

These templates are also available in our full EYFS Leader Folder Pack.