ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION (ECCE)

Abstract

Assessment and evaluation in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) play a pivotal role in supporting the holistic development of young children. This chapter examines the purposes, methods, policy frameworks, and ethical considerations essential to effective assessment in ECCE settings. It emphasizes developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive approaches that prioritize children’s well-being, engagement, and learning. Key methods discussed include systematic observation, portfolios, checklists, anecdotal records, and work sampling, with a strong emphasis on the teacher’s role as a facilitator and interpreter of children’s growth. The chapter also underscores the importance of involving families to provide context, continuity, and collaboration in assessment practices. Challenges such as developmental variability, cultural bias, time constraints, and overemphasis on academic readiness are critically analysed. Ethical assessment, grounded in principles of fairness, inclusivity, and confidentiality, is highlighted as a cornerstone of responsible practice.