Early Childhood Forum

It is astonishing that the Government has decided not to increase the number of Early Years graduate teachers . Currently 16,000 more are needed.

The  Early years are the most important  in a child's life and the quality of provision is dependant on highly qualified and experienced practitioners and in particular teachers. Government Investment in the Early Childhood is essential to ensure that every child has the best chance in life and also saves money later; early support for families and high quality education and care helps develop resilience and confidence for both parents and children.

The Early Childhood Forum is also shocked at the proposed changes to the Early Learning Goals giving more focus on literacy and numeracy when we know this is contrary to best practice  and will have adverse effects on children’s mental health and ability to learn successfully. The continuous testing  and proposals for baseline assessment have similar affects. 

Excellent and appropriate Early Childhood provision should  continue until the age of 7 as in most other countries.

We urge and expect the Government to think again about their Early Childhood policies which are in not in any  respect in the interests of children.

Melian Mansfield

Chair of ECF

Interesting video "Play, not tests for the under-sevens."

Please click on the link below to view.

BERJ

'Universal Early Education - who benefits?'

by Tammy Campbell, please click below:

Click below to read BERA's

'Baseline without Basis.'

Also visit www.bera.ac.uk for their blog and NFER's and DfE's response to the BERA research document.