Progress check at age two

This EYFS 2025 explains the check at 2 years and what must be completed by practitioners. These actions are legally required and are set out in the statutory framework for the EYFS. 

In addition, there are actions which we should take. These actions are not legally required but we need to be mindful of what we should do. We should only take another course of action if there is good reason for doing so.

Practitioners must provide parents with a short, written summary of their child’s development in the prime areas of learning: 

• communication and language
• personal, social and emotional development
• physical development 

Practitioners must:

• discuss with parents how the summary can be used to support learning and development at home
• describe the activities and strategies they intend to adopt in their setting to address any issues or concerns 

Beyond these points, it is for practitioners to decide what should be included within the written summary document.

Further non-statutory guidance is available to support developing good quality practice and making accurate assessments:

• Progress check at age two - non-statutory guidance for the early years foundation stage (PDF)

The integrated review, developed in partnership with National Health Service (NHS) Herefordshire and Worcestershire, should be completed when children are between 24 and 30 months old. 

It brings together the assessments given to 2 year old's through the Department of Health’s Healthy Child Programme and the Department for Education’s early years progress check at 2 years of age. 

Health Visitors and early years professionals will share information when necessary to provide parents with a holistic view of their child progress.

The Health Visiting Teams and Early Years settings work together on the integrated check at 2; the process provides parents with a seamless and comprehensive insight into their child’s health and development needs.

The 2-year check should be completed by the Early Years setting and the Community Health Practitioner or Health Visitor will complete their review before the child turns 30 months.

If a child has not received the health check with either a Community Health Practitioner or Health Visit, either ask the parent to chase the setting to contact the Health Visitor team through the Council's Children’s Secure Portal.

Step 1

Early Years setting completes the progress check.

Step 2

If you have no concerns: Early Years settings share the outcome of the check with parents.

Step 3

If you have concerns such as:

• poor attendance
• poor diet
• development
• behaviour
• poor oral hygiene
• concerns about home environment

Early Years settings share the outcome of the check and their concerns with parents. 

If the parents’ consent, you should refer to the Health Visiting team as appropriate:

Send a copy of the child’s completed progress review via the Council's Children's Secure Portal. Send secure communication, select team, and a drop down box will allow you to scroll to your relevant district.

Please note: If you have identified speech and language issues, please refer to Speech and Language Therapy services in liaison with parent/carers. There is no requirement to flag these children to the health visitor as you have already made the referral.

If health services are already involved with the child and are supporting with their development (i.e., known to paediatrician, child development centre or physio etc.) you are not required to send information to the health visitor. Please only send information to the health visitor on children whose needs are newly identified and need further support.

A notification can also be made to the:

• Early Years Inclusion Process

Step 4

NHS Admin to inform named Health Visitor.

Step 5

Named Health Visitor to add information to the clinical note and liaise with Early Years Setting if necessary.

2 year integrated review completed by community nursery nurses, health visitors, community health practitioner or health visitor.

Step 1

Arrange via telephone or letter and see face to face to complete 2 year review. Ask if child attends Early Years.

Step 2

Child does not attend an early year’s setting.

Community Health Practitioner or health visitor proceeds with 2-year review and encourage parents to take up a place in a early years setting (discuss funding options).

Signpost to:

• Childcare search - to search for childcare
• Childcare - to choose the right childcare

or to contact:

• Local family hubs

Step 3

Child does attend an early year’s setting:

• explain integrated review to parents and gain verbal consent to share information with Early Years Setting
• offer to send explanation leaflet if required

Step 4

CNN/HV Proceed with 2-year review using Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social and Emotional (SE).

Step 5

Child is universal:

• document on Electronic Patient Record (EPR)
• close referral on EPR

Step 6

Child requires review or referral to other services:

• refer as necessary or appropriate - document on EPR
• consult with Early Years Setting where possible and share information via Children’s secure portal