Schools continue to face enormous challenges, principally funding cuts and confusion over assessment, while early years practice, particularly in reception, remains an area of contention.
Top-down pressure from many head teachers and Government pushing for ‘better outcomes’ has often resulted in an overly formal – and developmentally inappropriate – curriculum for the youngest in schools.
Despite the challenges, many schools are striving to deliver top-quality practice in the Foundation Stage through the innovative use of staff and funding and an ongoing commitment to the principles of the EYFS.
In this, our second Early Years in School supplement, we profile best practice and offer advice on how to support early learning effectively. Subjects cover common problems, including how to:
- make learning meaningful in Key Stage 1 with a play-based approach
- maximise the role of teaching assistants
- make best use of EYPP funding
- deliver better outcomes for ‘white boys’ – the lowest performing group of children
- meet the challenges of the 30-hour free entitlement
- support the learning and developmental needs of two-year-olds
- meet the need to promote British Values
- respond to the challenges of assessment, and
- support children’s physical development
Nursery World will also be increasing its coverage of the EYFS in schools, with a regular twice-termly 8-page section on themes including being an early years advocate in school, physical development and role play, launching in the 6 March issue.
