Early years training standards omit play

The Department for Education’s teacher training body the National College of Teaching and Leadership has revealed the standards it expects from new graduate-level teachers and A-level standard educators.

From September, early years teacher trainees must have at least a GCSE grade C in English, maths and science, or equivalent. From September 2014 they will have to pass the same skills test that classroom teacher trainees undergo.
 
The early years educators, who will support the work of teachers, will be expected to already have English and maths GCSEs.

But The Pre-school Learning Alliance has said it is disappointed there is no explicit focus on learning through play in either qualifications.

Its chief executive Neil Leitch said: “We are dismayed that the government has chosen to ignore the advice of qualified and experienced early years and childcare practitioners and make no explicit reference to learning through play in both of these qualifications.

“In our consultation responses to the government we stressed the importance of referring to learning through play in these qualifications as this is the cornerstone of high-quality early years provision in this country. That the government has chosen to ignore such a key foundation of early years practice is a grave concern.”

He is also concerned that there is no explicit reference in the early years educator standards regarding working with children with special educational needs.