✍️ Angelique 📅 23 March 2026 ⏱ 11 min read

How to Write ELDA Observation Comments That Actually Mean Something to Parents

A practical guide for South African preschool and ECD teachers — with a four-part formula, ready-to-use examples for all six ELDAs, and five common mistakes to avoid.

Based on 30+ years as a nursery school principal in South Africa.

Writing Meaningful ELDA Observation Comments — a practical guide for South African preschool and ECD teachers
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Article summary

This guide helps South African preschool and ECD teachers write short, specific ELDA observation comments that parents can actually understand and act on. It explains what ELDA comments should — and should not — do, gives a simple four-part formula, provides ready-to-use examples for all six ELDAs at NS, D, and A levels, and offers practical tips for managing the reporting workload without burning out at the end of term.

Key points

  • The rating vs the comment: NS/D/A says where the child is. The comment must give observable evidence, context, and a next step the parent can use.
  • Four-part formula: Context · What the child did or said · What it demonstrates · Next step or encouragement.
  • Ready examples: Comment templates for all six ELDAs — Well-being, Identity & Belonging, Communication, Exploring Mathematics, Creativity, Knowledge & Understanding of the World — each shown at NS, D, and A.
  • Five mistakes to avoid: Writing only the rating, using vague praise, inferring feelings instead of behaviour, copy-pasting across children, and omitting next steps for NS/D.
  • Workload tips: Observe throughout the term, write domain-level comments, use voice-to-text to speed up drafting.

It is the last week of term. The skill ratings are done. You have worked your way through all six ELDAs, marked NS, D, or A next to skill after skill, and now there are 18 comment boxes staring back at you. It is past 8pm. You have not eaten since lunchtime. And every single comment field is blank.

This is the part nobody prepared you for. Your ECD training covered child development, the NCF, lesson planning, and developmental milestones. But the actual comment — the sentence a parent reads when they open their child's report — was left to you to figure out on your own.

You are not alone in this. Every preschool teacher in South Africa faces this moment twice a year. The South African Early Childhood Review 2024 estimates that South Africa has nearly 7 million children under the age of six. The vast majority of them are assessed using the ELDA framework. That is tens of thousands of reports generated every single term with almost no guidance on what the written comment should actually say.

This guide is that guidance. It will show you exactly how to write ELDA observation comments that are specific, meaningful, and professional — comments that tell parents something they could not learn from the tick alone, and comments that reflect the quality of teaching you are already doing every day.

7M
Children under 6 in South Africa (SA Early Childhood Review 2024) — the vast majority assessed using the ELDA framework every term.
492
ELDA skills across five age groups and six developmental domains — each one potentially requiring a written observation comment, twice a year.
The basics

What ELDA Observation Comments Are — and What They Are Not

The ELDA framework — Early Learning and Development Areas — is the South African National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for children from birth to four years. It was published by the Department of Basic Education in 2015 and updated in 2024. It organises child development into six learning areas: Well-being, Identity and Belonging, Communication, Exploring Mathematics, Creativity, and Knowledge and Understanding of the World.

Each skill within these areas is rated on a three-point scale:

  • NS — Not Shown
  • D — Developing
  • A — Achieved

Here is the distinction that changes everything: the rating tells the parent where the child is. The observation comment tells the parent what you actually saw that led to that rating. These are two different pieces of writing, and they must be treated that way.

The NCF is clear on this point. Assessment is based on watching and listening to each child during their daily routines and play — not formal testing. The comment is therefore a record of what you observed, not a verdict you have reached.

The most common mistake? Writing the rating as the comment:

“Sipho has achieved this skill.”

That tells the parent nothing they cannot already see from the tick. The comment must add evidence. It must show your professional eye at work.

The rating saysThe comment explains
NS — Not Shown “During group time, Liam did not yet initiate play with peers but watched with interest from the edge of the group.”
D — Developing “Amahle is beginning to sort objects by colour and can match two of three groups consistently with guidance.”
A — Achieved “Sipho confidently counts aloud to 10 during morning circle and correctly identifies quantities up to 5 using objects.”

The comment in the second column tells the parent something real. It gives them a picture of their child in action. That is exactly what a good ELDA observation comment does.

The formula

The Observation-Comment Formula Every South African Preschool Teacher Can Use

You do not need to be a gifted writer to produce good ELDA comments. You need a reliable structure. Here is a simple four-part formula based on the NCF assessment guidelines and the observation methodology used by leading South African ECD organisations:

The four-part ELDA comment formula
[Context] + [What the child did or said]
+ [What it demonstrates] + [Next step or encouragement]

Part 1 — Context

Where and when did you observe this? “During outdoor play,” “In the reading corner,” “At mealtimes,” “During a group counting activity.” This anchors the comment in real daily interaction. It signals to parents that you know their child — not from a test, but from watching them live their day.

Part 2 — What the Child Did or Said

Be specific and behavioural. Quote the child directly where you can. “Placed three blocks in a row and said ‘look, they go from big to small’” is far more powerful than “showed interest in mathematics.” The NCF explicitly instructs teachers to watch and listen — when a comment includes what a child actually said, it comes alive.

Part 3 — What It Demonstrates

Link briefly to the ELDA skill. You do not need to quote the full skill descriptor — one sentence is enough. “This shows emerging pattern recognition” or “demonstrates growing confidence in group settings.” Keep it simple. Parents do not need the technical language; they need to understand what their child's behaviour means.

Part 4 — Next Step or Encouragement

For Achieved ratings, a word of encouragement works well. For NS and D ratings, this is essential. It gives parents something to do at home and shows that you have a plan. “We will continue to support Liam with small-group play opportunities” or “You can reinforce this at home by counting steps together on the stairs” are both practical and reassuring.

Put it all together and a comment for a child rated D in Exploring Mathematics might read:

“During our morning ring activity, Amahle sorted her counting blocks into two colour groups with confidence, but needed a prompt to start a third group. This shows she is developing her sorting and classification skills. At home, you could practise sorting washing or groceries together — it makes great maths practice without feeling like a lesson.”

That is one comment. It took less than 60 seconds to write using the formula. It tells the parent exactly where their child is, what the teacher saw, and what to do next. That is a professional ELDA observation comment.

Ready-to-use examples

Comment Starters for Each of the Six ELDAs — With Examples

This is the section to bookmark. One ELDA at a time, with ready-to-adapt examples for each rating level. Replace [name] with the child's first name and adjust the pronoun as needed.

ELDA 1 Well-being — The Key ELDA
Well-being underpins all five other ELDAs. It covers physical health, emotional security, self-care routines, safety awareness, and nutrition habits. If a child does not feel safe and cared for, none of the other learning areas can develop fully.
NS
“During transitions between activities, [name] has not yet independently managed her belongings. We are gently encouraging her to pack away her own bag and identify her personal items, and she is beginning to respond to these prompts.”
D
“[Name] is beginning to wash his hands independently before meals. With a reminder, he completes all the steps correctly. We are now working on him initiating this routine without being prompted.”
A
“[Name] consistently follows our health and safety routines without prompting. This term she reminded a friend not to run near the steps and explained why — a lovely sign of both awareness and responsibility.”
ELDA 2 Identity and Belonging
This area covers a child's sense of self, cultural identity, peer relationships, decision-making, and growing self-confidence. It develops strongly through play and group experiences.
NS
“[Name] is still settling into our group. He watches the other children play with real interest, but has not yet initiated joining in independently. We are creating safe, small-group opportunities to help him build confidence at his own pace.”
D
“[Name] is beginning to express her preferences clearly during free play — she chooses her own activities and explains her choices to friends: ‘I want to do painting because it’s my favourite.’ Her sense of self is growing noticeably this term.”
A
“[Name] confidently shares stories about his family and home during circle time. He celebrates what makes him different from his classmates with real pride, and his contributions always spark great conversation in the group.”
ELDA 3 Communication
Communication covers listening, speaking, language development, early literacy, and engagement with stories and rhymes. It is one of the most observable ELDAs — you will find evidence of it in almost every part of the school day.
NS
“During story time, [name] does not yet follow multi-step verbal instructions consistently. We are using picture cues and lots of repetition to support her understanding, and she is engaging more actively with each session.”
D
“[Name] is using 3–4 word sentences with growing confidence during play. She described her block construction to a peer this week: ‘big one, small one, fall down’ — showing real growth in both vocabulary and narrative ability.”
A
“[Name] participates actively in our group discussions, asks thoughtful questions, and retells stories with clear sequence. He also uses language to negotiate with peers: ‘I was using that but you can have it after me.’ This is lovely social language development.”
ELDA 4 Exploring Mathematics
This area covers counting, number recognition, patterns, sorting, shapes, measurement, and early problem-solving. Mathematics is woven into daily life at school — mealtimes, ring time, outdoor play, and construction all provide rich observation opportunities.
NS
“[Name] does not yet consistently identify the numerals 1–5. We are weaving counting into her daily routines — counting stairs, snack items, and friends in the circle — to build familiarity through natural repetition rather than drilling.”
D
“[Name] can sort objects by one attribute (colour or size) with guidance. During a sorting activity this term, she correctly grouped blocks by colour but needed support when asked to re-sort by size. She is making good progress.”
A
“During morning ring, [name] counted all 12 classmates correctly, pointing to each child and announcing the total with confidence. He is also beginning to use more/less language accurately: ‘the red group has more — look, one, two, three more.’ Strong mathematical thinking for his age.”
ELDA 5 Creativity
Creativity covers art, music, movement, imaginative play, self-expression, and construction. It is the ELDA many parents underestimate — but it is a powerful indicator of cognitive flexibility, language development, and emotional expression.
NS
“[Name] watches creative activities with genuine interest but has not yet initiated them independently. We are offering open-ended materials and following his lead carefully, focusing on making the creative space feel safe and pressure-free.”
D
“[Name] is beginning to use paints and crayons with clear purpose and intention. This term she named what she had drawn before I had a chance to ask: ‘That’s my dog — he’s orange because he likes the sun.’ Her creative self-expression is developing beautifully.”
A
“[Name] uses dramatic play with remarkable detail and narrative. This week he set up a full ‘shop’ with handwritten labels, a pretend till, and ‘money’ made from paper, directing his peers through a complete story. He connects creativity, language, and mathematics naturally — a genuine strength.”
ELDA 6 Knowledge and Understanding of the World
This area covers the natural world, cause and effect, investigation, cultural knowledge, community awareness, and early technology concepts. Children demonstrate it through curiosity, questioning, and making connections.
NS
“[Name] is not yet engaging with investigative activities in a structured way. We are introducing open-ended questions during outdoor play to spark curiosity and build her confidence as a young explorer. There is a real thinker in there — we are giving her the space to find it.”
D
“[Name] noticed that a plant near our window had wilted and asked why. We explored this together over two days. She is beginning to connect cause and effect in her natural environment, which is exactly where this learning begins.”
A
“[Name] consistently asks ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions during discovery activities. This term she compared a wet and dry sponge, predicted what would happen when squeezed, and explained her reasoning clearly to the group. She approaches the world like a scientist — always investigating.”

🎓 Writing 492 ELDA comments twice a year takes hours. EarlyTrack's AI generates contextual observation comments in English and Afrikaans — based on the child's NS, D, and A ratings — so your teachers start with a draft instead of a blank page.

See how AI comments work →
ELDA Observation Blueprint PDF — free download for South African preschool teachers
⬇ Free Download
The ELDA Observation Blueprint

Everything in this guide, condensed into a single printable reference. The 60-second formula, NS/D/A comment starters for all six ELDAs, the five mistakes checklist, and the Comment Diagnostic Matrix — all on one page. Pin it above your desk at report time.

Download free PDF PDF · 13 pages · No sign-up required
What not to do

The Five Mistakes South African Preschool Teachers Make When Writing ELDA Comments

Knowing what not to write is just as valuable as knowing what to write. These five mistakes appear in ELDA reports across the country every term.

Five mistakes to avoid

Writing the rating as the comment. “Sipho has achieved this skill.” This adds nothing to the tick. The comment must add evidence — the what, where, and when of what you observed.
Using vague positive phrases. “Amahle is a joy to teach and shows great enthusiasm.” This feels warm but tells the parent nothing useful. Every child deserves a comment that could only apply to them.
Interpreting feelings instead of reporting behaviour. “Liam seems unhappy during group work” is subjective and could be challenged. “Liam moved to the edge of the group and did not contribute verbally” is an observable fact.
Copying the same comment across multiple children. Parents notice. Principals notice. The comment field is not a copy-paste box — it is where your knowledge of each child is made visible.
Leaving the next step blank for NS and D ratings. A parent who receives NS or D with no next step feels worried and has nowhere to go. That one extra sentence closes the loop — and can be the difference between a calm parent and an anxious phone call.
A good test: If you can delete the comment and the report still communicates the same thing, the comment needs to be rewritten. It must add something the rating cannot say on its own.
Practical tips

How to Write 492 ELDA Comments Without Losing Your Mind

The honest challenge with ELDA report writing is not the formula. It is the volume. Forty-nine skills per domain, six domains, 18 to 30 children, twice a year. Here is how experienced South African preschool teachers manage it without burning out.

Observe throughout the term — not just at the end

The NCF is clear that assessment is ongoing, based on watching and listening each day during daily routines and play. Keep a small notebook, use sticky notes, or record voice notes on your phone as things happen. One observation per child per week across a ten-week term gives you 10 or more reference points per child before you sit down to write. Report night becomes editing — not starting from nothing.

Write at domain level, not skill level

You do not need a separate comment for every one of the 492 skills. Write one or two sentences per domain that reference two or three related skills together: “This term, Thandi showed strong growth across the Communication domain — she is now using 5–6 word sentences, retelling stories in sequence, and asking questions during our read-aloud sessions.” Three skills addressed in one flowing comment.

Start with children you know best

Writing good comments for the children who are clearest in your mind builds momentum and gets words on the page. The children who are harder to describe come easier once you are in the flow.

Use voice-to-text for observation notes

Dictating is faster than typing for most people, and voice notes can be transcribed and cleaned up later. EarlyTrack's Professional plan includes Afrikaans and English voice-to-text built directly into the assessment workflow — so teachers can record observations hands-free during the day and have them ready when report time arrives.

Want this all on one page? The ELDA Observation Blueprint PDF includes the 60-second formula, all six ELDA comment starters at NS/D/A level, the five mistakes checklist, and the Comment Diagnostic Matrix — free to download and pin above your desk at report time.
2×
A year, every year. Most South African preschools complete formal ELDA assessments at the end of Term 2 and Term 4. Teachers who observe continuously throughout the term consistently produce better comments in less time than those who reconstruct from memory on the last day.
The parent experience

What a Good ELDA Comment Looks Like in the Parent Portal

When a parent opens their child's approved report in the EarlyTrack parent portal, they see the skill rating and the comment side by side. The rating is a letter. The comment is what they read.

A parent who receives a specific, warm, evidence-based comment does not just feel informed. They feel seen. They trust that the teacher knows their child. They feel confident in the school. That trust is built or lost in those two or three sentences.

A parent who receives “Shows progress in this area” for the third domain in a row starts to wonder whether anyone is actually watching their child.

A South African ECD resource puts it plainly: reports are extremely important documents and the words written in a child's report may follow them around for many years. That is not said to create pressure — it is said to remind us that these comments matter. A well-written ELDA comment can shape how a parent understands and supports their child's development for years to come.

Write the comment you would want to receive if it were your child.

Save hours on ELDA report writing every term

EarlyTrack's AI observation comment generator is built for the South African ELDA framework. Teachers rate each skill NS, D, or A — and EarlyTrack generates a contextual comment in English or Afrikaans. Principals review and approve before anything reaches a parent. It does not replace the teacher's knowledge of the child. It replaces the blank page at 10pm.

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Frequently Asked Questions About ELDA Observation Comments

What is the difference between an ELDA rating and an ELDA observation comment?
The rating — NS, D, or A — indicates where a child currently is on a particular skill. The observation comment is the written evidence that explains how the teacher reached that rating. It describes what the teacher actually saw or heard the child do. One is a classification; the other is professional documentation.
How often must South African preschools complete ELDA assessments?
Most South African preschools conduct formal ELDA assessments twice per year — typically at the end of Term 2 and Term 4. However, the NCF recommends ongoing observation throughout the year as the foundation for any formal assessment.
What are the six ELDAs in the South African NCF?
The six Early Learning and Development Areas are: Well-being (the key ELDA), Identity and Belonging, Communication, Exploring Mathematics, Creativity, and Knowledge and Understanding of the World. Together they cover the full spectrum of a young child's developmental and learning needs.
How long should an ELDA observation comment be?
Two to four sentences is the ideal length for most ELDA observation comments. Long enough to be specific and meaningful; short enough that parents read every word. Domain-level comments that cover two or three related skills can occasionally run to five or six sentences.
Can I write ELDA comments in Afrikaans?
Yes. The ELDA framework supports both English and Afrikaans, and Afrikaans parents have a right to receive their child's report in their home language. EarlyTrack generates AI observation comments in both languages, and the full parent portal is available in Afrikaans. Learn more on the EarlyTrack Afrikaans page.
What should an ELDA comment say for a child rated NS (Not Shown)?
An NS comment should do three things: describe what you observed (or did not observe), provide context so the parent understands this is a developmental stage and not a failure, and include a next step — either what the school is doing to support the child, or something the parent can try at home. Never leave an NS rating with a blank comment.
Is there a template for ELDA observation comments?
The four-part formula in this post — [Context] + [What the child did or said] + [What it demonstrates] + [Next step or encouragement] — is the most practical template available. Apply it to any ELDA, any rating level, and any age group. The comment examples in the section above can also be adapted directly by replacing [name] with the child's first name and adjusting the specific behaviour described.
A
Angelique
Co-Founder · EarlyTrack

She spent more than 30 years as a nursery school principal in South Africa before building EarlyTrack. She knows the end-of-term reporting pressure from the inside — the blank comment boxes, the ELDA framework, the parent communication gaps, and the way a single well-written comment can either reassure or alarm a family. EarlyTrack was built to fix exactly those problems, by someone who lived them.

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