What is moderation?

Moderation of the EYFSP is a statutory responsibility for all local authorities to ensure quality, accurate and consistent judgements of children’s attainment at the end of the foundation stage to create an overall picture of a child’s development.  It involves confirmation of judgements made against the individual profile scale points through professional dialogue and observation between the moderator and practitioner.   

The Local Authority has a statutory responsibility to ensure that all practitioners responsible for the completion of the EYFS Profile take part in moderation activities at least once annually.   Schools receive an individual moderation visit once every 4 years and for the remaining 3 years in the cycle, attend a cluster moderation event. 

A lead practitioner from each setting who is responsible for the completion of the EYFSP takes part in moderation activities at least once a year.

In Lincolnshire, The Birth to Five Service strives to make moderation a positive and supportive process. Moderation is carried out by suitably experienced and trained early years practitioners across the county in order to secure consistent standards in assessment judgements. Moderation in Lincolnshire involves cluster meetings and individual visits to settings.