National Curriculum review should include pre-school education, say early years bodies
Janaki Mahadevan
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A coalition of early years organisations has criticised the government's National Curriculum review for not encompassing pre-school education.
The Early Childhood Forum, which is made up of 60 member organisations, said it welcomed the review, but believes that the remit should be expanded to enable greater consistency and continuity from birth to 16 and between the key stages.
The group has also recommended that the Early Years Foundation Stage be extended from birth until the end of Key Stage One to encourage a seamless transition between early and primary education.
Melian Mansfield, chair of the forum, said: "At the Early Childhood Forum, we want to start a debate about how and what children learn across the age range. Providing our children with integrated and balanced learning experiences relevant to their stage of development is a vital foundation for their future."
