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Essential Assessment in Prep to Year 2 - FAQ for Families
What is Essential Assessment?
Essential Assessment (EA) is an online Assessment tool that helps teachers understand what your child knows and what they are ready to learn next.
It is used alongside everyday classroom teaching to support your child’s progress in Mathematics and English.
Why do you use Essential Assessment in the early years?
In Prep to Year 2, children are learning how to:
- Understand questions
- Explain their thinking
- Build confidence when trying new tasks
We introduce EA gently so children become familiar with learning tasks over time.
➡️ This helps them feel confident and capable as they move through school.
Is my child being tested in Prep (Kindergarten NSW)?
No — the focus in Prep is not on formal testing.
We encourage EA as a way to:
- Build familiarity with simple tasks
- Support learning through practice and review
- Help teachers check understanding in a low-pressure way
Formal assessment is only introduced when students are ready.
How does this help my child learn?
EA helps teachers to:
- Identify your child’s strengths
- Support areas where they may need help
- Plan lessons that match their learning needs
➡️ This means your child receives more targeted and effective teaching.
Will this make my child anxious?
No — our approach is designed to reduce anxiety. The word assessment means “To sit beside.”
Children:
- Work through tasks with teacher support
- Build confidence gradually
- Become familiar with the format over time
➡️ By the time formal assessment occurs, it feels comfortable and manageable.
How often is Essential Assessment used?
- Short, regular activities may be used in class
- Daily review (especially in maths) helps build confidence
- More formal assessment happens later, when students are ready
Does my child need strong computer skills?
No prior experience is needed.
We support students to:
- Use devices step-by-step
- Navigate simple tasks
- Build confidence using technology
How is this different from traditional tests?
Essential Assessment is:
- Used as part of learning, not separate from it
- Designed to support teaching, not just measure results
- Focused on understanding, not just correct answers
How will I know how my child is progressing?
Teachers use EA alongside other classroom observations and work samples.
You will receive updates through:
- School reports
- Parent-teacher conversations
- Ongoing communication from your child’s teacher
What is the benefit of starting in Prep?
Starting early helps children:
- Build confidence
- Develop independence
- Understand how to approach tasks
➡️ This leads to a more accurate understanding of their learning as they grow.
Who can I speak to if I have questions?
If you would like to know more, please contact your child’s teacher or the school. We are always happy to talk about your child’s learning.
Our Key Message
We are not introducing assessment earlier — we are building confident, capable learners who are ready to show what they know.