ÎÞÂëÌìÌÃ

By Rachel Lawler

The Department for Education (DfE) has opened a on proposed changes to the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (EYFS).

The consultation is asking for views on the proposed changes to the educational programmes, early learning goals, assessment and moderation process for the EYFS profile and safeguarding and welfare requirements to promote good oral health.

The consultation opened today and will close on 31 January 2020.

ÎÞÂëÌìÌà response
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the ÎÞÂëÌìÌÃ, commented: “Since the publication of the draft revised Early Learning Goals in June 2018 and their pilot in a limited number of reception classes, the sector has been keen to engage in this review of the EYFS. Unfortunately, the publication of this consultation will do little to reassure those who are concerned that the review marks a move towards an overly narrow and formal approach to early years practice.

“We know that young children benefit from a broad, rounded and holistic approach to early years learning – and yet the proposed changes to the Early Learning Goals demonstrate a move in the opposite direction. The decision to increase the number of literacy ELGs from two to three, and to remove the real world contexts that support children to gain a solid understanding of maths from the mathematics ELGs, are just two of a number of examples of this concerning shift outlined in this consultation.

“What’s more, the use of open-text boxes for consultation responses is likely to make genuine, detailed analysis of responses very difficult, and begs the question: how interested is the government on what the sector has to say on this issue? 

"That said, we urge all providers to respond to this consultation. It is vital that the views of those who use the EYFS on a day-to-day basis, and have an in-depth understanding of the way children learn and develop, are taken into account during this process."

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