Hi Gemmers
Not a museum issue as such but of interest to any of you that work with Early Years settings.
The Govt is set to make changes to the EYFS profile (assessment) that could undermine the holistic nature of early years education, especially in Reception classes.. Following consultation on EYs assessment, the Govt has given an indication of changes it would like to make. It is talking of slimming down the assessment by focusing on only the three prime areas (communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development) and specific areas of mathematics and literacy.
Once again, the concept of a broad and balanced curriculum is being undermined and knowledge and understanding of the world and creative development are being said to be less important for children’s education. The Govt argue how you develop in those areas is not such an important predictor of later school performance, so is not as important to assess. Whilst of course those areas will not be dropped from the EYFS itself, we know that assessment drives what is provided in schools and settings.
Whilst the review undoubtedly makes some good recommendations, such as updating the PSED Early Learning Goals (ELG) to reflect new thinking on self-regulation and executive function, it is worrying that they are also suggesting that the mathematics and literacy ELGs will be reviewed and revised ‘to ensure that they support children to develop the right building blocks for learning at key stage 1’. The Govt says: “key areas for improvement include: that ELGs should be better aligned with expectations at key stage 1, particularly mathematics and literacy. A common theme emerging from the consultation was that teaching approaches for mathematics and literacy ELGs could be in conflict with the methods taught in year 1. We heard that this is particularly the case regarding the use of numbers and phonics, and that more could be done to frame the descriptors and supporting guidance in order to ensure that pupils are best prepared for key stage 1.” However, other independent research from the sector suggests that these ELGs are already pitched too high.
The concerns then are that this review will not only subtly shift EYs settings away from a genuinely broad and balanced curriculum, but will increase pressure to teach phonics and numbers at too early an age. Looking further ahead, the sector is concerned that the Govt would like to make Reception part of Key Stage 1 rather than part of the EYFS, in an attempt to bring children into more formal teaching on the 3Rs at an earlier stage. Watch this space …
You can read about it at: Nursery World
Best
Jo
Jo Graham | Learning Unlimited
01425 479438 | 07970 062077
learning-unlimited.co.uk
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