Nursery World - Too much, too soon, not enough staff

I support the view that children's formal education should be delayed (News, 21 November). I own a private day nursery and out-of-school activity centre, and some of our children who started school in September are far from ready. One child cried and fell asleep at the end of each day and one cried for us to ask his teacher if he could sleep during the morning. Children are not 100 per cent receptive to 'education' in these conditions.

Children are not 100 per cent receptive to 'education' in these conditions.

Some were only aged just four and still 'babies' who needed to learn much more in terms of social and emotional skills. Our children have gone from a child:staff ratio of 1:8 with a teacher and two nursery nurses to a large reception class overnight, and I do not feel that they receive the careful balance of care and education they need.

In no way do I wish to criticise what our reception classes within schools do. The teachers do a fantastic job. But what they need are experienced, qualified nursery nurses to support them in smaller classes in order to give these children what they need and deserve.

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