Campaigners issue warning over testing of under-fives

The proposals were made by Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted’s chief inspector of schools, during the launch of the education regulator’s report Unseen Children last month.

He said the best schools assess children when they start reception, not at the end as required by the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Wilshaw said: “In my view, the current timing of national assessment at the end of reception year is too late. Children may have lost a vital year of learning by then.”

But in a critical letter to Wilshaw, the Association for the Professional Development of Early Years Educators (TACTYC) says testing at this early stage could have a detrimental effect on children.

The letter, written by TACTYC’s chair Jane Payler, says: “Earlier pressure to perform in a narrowly academic manner does not give young children the most effective foundation for development, learning and wellbeing.”

It adds that England’s school entry age is one of the lowest in the world, including countries where children outperform England’s academically.

The letter also calls on Ofsted to ensure inspectors have a strong background in early years development and education from birth to five years old, rather than just within the primary school sector.

Payler added: “Working with babies and very young children requires very different approaches to those used with older children in schools.”

Ofsted’s Unseen Children report is calling on the government to review testing in reception and Key Stage 1.

Wilshaw said assessments already being carried out by some schools at the start of reception age have a strong focus on communication, language and literacy skills.