Butterfly Progression Document

🦋 Butterfly Class Progression – 3–4 Years

Our Butterfly Class Progression Document shows how we expect children's knowledge, skills, confidence and independence to develop throughout their year with us.

It covers all seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is organised into four points across the year:

Baseline → End of Autumn → End of Spring → End of Summer

How do we use it?

When children begin Butterfly Class, staff spend time getting to know them through play, conversations, observations and information shared by families. This helps us understand each child's individual starting point.

As the year progresses, children are given opportunities to revisit, practise and build upon previous learning. We expect to see their skills becoming more secure and their learning becoming increasingly independent. For example, a child may move from joining in with a familiar story, to recalling parts of it, then sequencing events and eventually using story language independently within their own play.

The progression document helps our practitioners to identify what children can already do, what they are beginning to develop and what experiences or support may help them progress further.

Not a tick list

The statements in our progression document are not a checklist that every child must complete by a particular date.

Children develop at different rates and often make progress in different ways. A child may be working confidently within the End of Spring expectations in one aspect of their learning while still developing skills shown earlier in another.

Our staff therefore use the document alongside their knowledge of the child, observations over time, information from families and professional judgement.

Recognising every child's progress

For children with SEND, EAL or other additional needs, progress may look different. Important progress might include increased communication, greater participation, improved emotional regulation, developing independence or becoming more confident within familiar routines.

Our curriculum and provision are adapted so that every child can participate, make progress and experience success from their own individual starting point.

Preparing for the next stage

By the end of Butterfly Class, the progression document also helps us consider the foundations children have developed for their move into Reception.

This isn't simply about whether a child can count, recognise letters or write their name. We also value their ability to communicate their needs, build relationships, listen, explore, solve problems, manage everyday routines, persevere and approach new experiences with confidence.

Progression at St Barnabas is not about rushing children to the next stage. It is about building secure foundations, step by step, so that every child is ready to continue their own learning journey.