Reporting – Home Education QLD Inc

Reporting and how it works.

Preparing a written yearly Report and Plan is a requirement of Registration with the Home Education Unit (HEU).

Your first Report is due in the 10th month after your registration date. Eg if your child was registered on March 5th, the Report (and next year’s Plan) would be due by January 5th, every year.

You can submit your Report either by email, post or through their online Reporting Portal. A unique link is sent to you via email, when your Report time opens, i.e. exactly 1 month before your Report due date. The link will remain active until your Report due date.

Although it may seem terrifying, it really is a great opportunity to reflect on the year gone by and show off some of the little steps or big steps your child has made over the last year. Everyone’s Reports will be different, as all our children are different.

While none of the HEU templates are compulsory, we do recommend using the Report Template to help reduce your writing time. Some ideas to help you with reporting:

Read the HEU Report Template questions to understand what they need.
Watch the Free Registration Video, the second part is on reporting.
Samples are KEY to being approved.
- HEU want at least 2 dated Samples/Examples in 3 learning areas, 6 Samples total.
- You must include a pair of samples for English, Maths and a third subject of your choice or address a short term goal.
- Ideally, samples will show how you support your child to learn in your home.
- HEU want the Samples to show evidence of learning and/or progress.
- HEU prefers written samples; but if that is difficult for your child then use a description of your observations, parent journals, scrapbook entries, transcripts, typed work, photos, drawings etc.
- Video/ audio needs to be less than 4mB, Screenshots work well, describe the learning in your Sample observations/Annotations.
- Photos are great and need analysis, explanation and commentary if they form one of your Samples.
HEU are assessing YOUR ability, as the educator, to observe your child’s needs and to provide, record, analyse and adjust learning.
HEU want to read about the process that occurred, and what you did to support the child to learn. They are not assessing your child’s ability.
Explain your observations, the child’s needs/strengths/ challenges, what actions you took in response to those needs/ challenges, how THAT worked out, what needs to happen next and why etc.
The better picture you can provide HEU and the more easily you are approved.
HEU’s webpage about Reporting can be found here

Click here to see our Planning and Reporting Templates, and sample Plans.

When is my Report Due?

Your first Report is due 10 months after your registration date. Eg if your child was registered on March 5th, the Report (and next year's Plan) would be due by January 5th, every year.

How do I submit my Report?

You can submit your Report either by email, post or via the unique link online.
- If you submit by post or email you need to include the report form with your signature.
A unique link is sent to you via email, when your Report time opens, i.e. exactly 1 month before your Report due date.
- The link will remain active until your Report due date.

What are Annotations?

Annotations are your written details about the Samples.
Include what learning is demonstrated, and describe the progress you observed.
- For example, if your child built a model as part of a maths project, note how they applied measurement skills, solved problems, or explored geometry.

What does Progress look like?

Progress doesn’t have to match grade levels or specific academic milestones.
Progress can be shown through skill progression, increasing complexity, application of skills, and personal development.
Progress can be single digit addition to double digit, or independence with addition.
Describe how your child is developing, learning, and moving forward on their unique path.
The key is sharing that they are advancing in understanding, ability, or confidence, independence or just willingness to participate.

How many 'subjects' or areas do we have to report on?

3 total - English and Maths, and one other learning area or short term goal of your choosing.

What kind of Samples can I provide?

Samples can be anything and should show evidence of progress.

Written work e.g. essays, stories, recounts, letters, or reports.
Reading comprehension where you describe your child’s ability to understand and analyse texts.
Creative work such as poetry, drama, or written responses to books or movies.
Oral discussions, where you can describe spoken language activities like presentations, discussions, or storytelling.
Worksheets or real-life situations (e.g., measuring ingredients, budgeting).
Written calculations with steps taken to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division problems.
Maths projects (e.g., building something with measurements), document the process.
Using maths in everyday life—calculating distance, time, or costs.
Science experiments with notes, photos, or drawings documenting experiments, investigations, or observations.
Historical or social studies projects that demonstrate an understanding of history, geography, or civics.
Art or creative work such as paintings, sculptures, drawings, or designs, along with explanations of the process and what was learned.
Technology projects would include designs, models, or digital work that shows application of learning in technology.
Skills development such as in physical education e.g. ride a bike, skateboarding tricks, mastering a sport or new fitness level, document with photos or descriptions and what you did to support.
Demonstrating skills like cooking, gardening, or budgeting that show growth in practical areas.

How do I write a Report with no formal learning?

Focus on describing activities and how they relate to learning concepts.
Eg Lego into a maths lesson or a unit study.
- 1. Describe the Activity - “We used LEGO to build structures, exploring different ways to create shapes and patterns.”
- 2. Identify the Learning Concepts eg for maths focus on counting, sorting, and spatial awareness.
  - Describe how you used concepts like addition (combining blocks), subtraction (removing blocks), and even multiplication (arranging blocks in equal rows).
  - For a unit study, if you’re exploring architecture, you could build famous landmarks, discuss their history, and learn about symmetry or balance in design.
- 3. Explain the Skills Developed practical skills such as problem-solving, fine motor coordination, and creative thinking - relate it to the learning concept.
  - eg maths, you might note the development of counting, measuring, and estimating.
- 4. Add Observations and Reflections - detail your child’s approach:
  - Eg “My child demonstrated understanding of patterning by building a repeating colour sequence” or “They combined blocks in various ways to experiment with height and stability.”

Reflect on the progress made over time: “At first, they struggled with creating symmetrical structures, but over a few sessions, they learned to mirror their designs on each side.”

Start with simple concepts and activities. AI (eg ChatGPT) can be a helpful tool for generating fresh ideas on how everyday activities relate to subjects like maths, science, or language arts.

How can I Report when my child won't hold a pen?

Understanding, facilitating, and evaluating learning without formal materials is done by focusing on hands-on, practical, and experiential learning.
Observe Practical Skills: Notice how your child engages with real-life tasks. e.g. cooking can demonstrate maths skills (measuring, timing) and scientific understanding (mixing ingredients, observing change).
Facilitate through Play and Exploration: Use storytelling, discussions, role-play, and outdoor exploration to introduce and reinforce concepts. e.g. reading together, observing nature, creating imaginative games that incorporate language and maths.
Evaluate Progress through Informal Assessments: Track what they know through conversations, questions, and observations during activities. Document milestones, new skills, or ways they express understanding in a journal or with photos and notes. You might also record audio notes to keep track of their responses or explanations of tasks.
Use Art and Movement: If writing is a barrier, draw, paint, or use other forms of creative expression to show what they know. Movement-based learning—like acting out a story or arranging objects to represent numbers or ideas—can also be powerful.
Include details about how you are supporting their muscle control and stamina with pen holding through other activities.

What else can I do if my child has difficulty writing?

Scribe – You can write down their responses as they speak, ensuring that their thoughts are captured accurately.
Typing – If your child is more comfortable typing, using a computer or tablet can be a good alternative.
Voice-to-Text Programs – Tools like speech recognition software can convert spoken words into text.
These approaches can be used to support your child in showcasing their learning while scaffolding them to higher learning.
It’s important to detail in your report the strategies you use to support your child to progress.

Help! I don't have any Samples, what do I do?

Reflect on recent activities and think about the learning activities your child has engaged in, they could be practical experiences or hands-on projects.

Have they worked on a building project, like a LEGO construction or craft that involves problem-solving and creativity?
Have they had conversations about a book they’re reading or a topic of interest?
Have they completed any physical activities, like learning a new sport or skill (e.g., skateboarding, swimming)?
Describe the learning you have observed against two points in time and turn them into a diary entry.
Create Samples if you can’t find suitable Samples.
- Sample 1 You teach them a new concept
- Sample 2 - They can independently apply that new concept they learnt.

Do I also have to do a new Plan at Report time?

Yes, a new plan must be provided at the same time you provide the Report.
You can update the previous year's Plan to reflect your child's growing needs.

Can I edit my first Plan, how much do I need to change?

Plans should be updated to align with your child’s evolving needs and interests, as well as new learning activities or goals.
Read through your Plan and edit as needed to reflect your child's growth and to show you have reviewed your Plan. HEU will ask for a new Plan if it is too similar.
It’s recommended to update all your Short Term goals, especially in Maths and English. For Short Term Goals that remain the same, add the word “Continue”.
Add new Maths, English and Science ideas and delete what you have completed.
Don't forget to change the YEAR at the top of the Plan.

Can I get some more Help with my Report?

Our Volunteers can read over your Report. contact@homeeducationqld.org
You can watch the free Registration video link here (2nd part is Reports) - https://tinyurl.com/QldPlansandReports
You can pay for someone to write your Report. Make sure they are experienced with Qld HEU.
Attend the online session held each month - Check the Calendar for the next Webinar