Small Steps - Developmental Milestone Tracker - 0 - 5years - Complex SEND in Mainstream

A comprehensive document outlining progressive developmental steps from birth to the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

It provides clear, detailed guidance on incremental stages of development, supporting accurate assessment of children working significantly below expected EYFS standards.

This resource is ideal for helping practitioners unpick children’s needs and identify precise next steps.

It also serves as an invaluable tool for subject leaders, offering insight into what each curriculum area looks like for children working developmentally well below age-related expectations (ARE). For example, it clarifies what early reading may look like for a child functioning at a 12-month developmental stage.

Designed for use in mainstream settings, the document supports the monitoring and planning of small-step progression for children with complex SEND needs.

Covers the following areas:

• Self-regulation
• Managing self
• Building relationships
• Listening & attention
• Understanding
• Speaking
• Gross Motor Skills
• Fine Motor Skills
• Comprehension
• Word-reading
• Writing Numbers
• Number patterns
• Past & present
• People, communities and culture
• The natural world
• Creating with materials
• Being imaginative & expressive

Word document so schools can add their own logos or change the names of the steps to align with school vision/values.

The progression steps are evidence-based and informed by the following key guidance documents:
• Birth to 5 Matters: Non-statutory guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage (Early Education, 2021)
• Development Matters in the EYFS (BAECE, 2012)
• Development Matters: Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage (DfE, 2021)
• Early Support Developmental Journal (DCSF, 2008)
• Early Support Developmental Journal for Children Who Have Down Syndrome (DCSF, 2008)
• Early Years Foundation Stage (DfE, 2012)
• Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (DfE, 2021)