Early years education is woefully misunderstood.

[Invasionofthegutsnatchers]

I'm an infant school teacher. (Year R, 1 and 2 = age 4-7). The more time goes on the more I'm realising that a huge proportion of the general population don't understand the importance of learning in the first few years of life.

Childcare as a concept is highly valued because it allows parents to go to work, this is a necessity for most. But the actual stuff children do at Childcare settings is often dismissed as 'just playing'. This play is crucial for development.

Children need to be able to listen to others, take turns, understand that others have needs and wants. They have to share once they start school.

They need daily exposure to nursery rhymes and stories. Strengthening activities to allow their fine and gross motor skills to develop. Imaginative play to help them be empathetic and create stories. And so much more.

I feel like the pandemic has highlighted so many reasons we need this learning and as a result a lot of children who missed out on childcare have huge gaps in their development. Very poor core strength for example so they aren't ready to write. No knowledge of rhyme as they haven't been singing songs. So many other examples. Social skills is a massive one. We need to value this education so much more and the adults who work really hard in these settings.

I think I feel it’s the opposite lately. Parents started to realise their children are drained and stressed after the day in the R year and question of why their children are not allowed to do what they are supposed to do - playing, building relationships, moving etc with the guidance of their teacher.

I see a lot of this too, but then I also think I'm in an echo chamber whereby ALL of my friends have deferred their kids to start school age 5/nearly 6; I feel very lucky to be in Scotland where that is possible.
I definitely hear it from teachers though. When we were looking at primary schools and mentioned that we were deferring DD (this was a few years back when it was probably a slightly less mainstream decision) every single teacher said that was a brilliant decision, we start school much too young in this country, and so on.

Many many parents do not know that these things matter though.

I actually think it's grounded in sexism. It was women's work, mothering, and therefore not important or skilled. It was untaught, it was modelled.

Women's work rearing their children was abandoned as women went into the mainstream workforce, and parenting became 'supervising them so they don't have accidents', essentially the skill was lost.

I've expressed it clumsily, I know.

I'm not sure what hour point is op except for you to tell everyone how all those parents failed their kids during the pandemic and now you're having to deal with their mess? Do you think parents don't know their kids missed out? Do you think parents really think they did as good a job as teachers do u between working from home, looking after younger siblings, not understanding how to teach phonics or maths etc?

I find the discussion on this endlessly fascinating. Thank you for all the well thought out contributions.
I am coming around to the idea of early education, though it seems to me as a 70s child/90s mother, that what is done in early years setting is more like how reception and year one used to look.
I like the idea of starting them a little later if I'm honest. Letting them be babies before they start being hothoused.

And yet, I'm realising how important it is for the many children who, for many reasons, don't have the home support they need to develop.
I wonder whether parents are pulled in too many directions with the way modern life is now, so they have to become comfortable with their children learning things in group settings that they would once have learnt at home.
Perhaps they need this interaction to flourish in the modern world.
I like the notion of children pottering about with family and friends, and developing social and motor skills along the way. It's harder to make this happen now, as there is so much pressure on parents and so little time.
Of course decent early years provision gives parents (particularly women) choices that previous generations didn't have, which can only be a good thing.
I'm still musing, and for me it's all academic anyway, with adult children.
But kudos to all those staff who do such a good job in these settings. Great thread!

It isn't education, it's development

Development needs to be encouraged. Some parents can't be bothered, others don't know what should be expected of their children. I wish I'd worked in Early Years when my kids were young. I know so much more now!

So which came first, parents not doing it or parents now leaving it to 'formal' settings because it's free and it's there?

Most children are only in 15 hours per week from 3 (that's what's free). So, I wouldn't say it's parents leaving it to formal settings. I'd say a lack of education (not that parents aren't educated but don't know what is important for kids to be doing), lack of time (both parents working), screen addictions (for adults) leading to less interaction with kids.

@SleepingStandingUp

I'm not sure what hour point is op except for you to tell everyone how all those parents failed their kids during the pandemic and now you're having to deal with their mess? Do you think parents don't know their kids missed out? Do you think parents really think they did as good a job as teachers do u between working from home, looking after younger siblings, not understanding how to teach phonics or maths etc?

I didn't read it that way tbh. I think it's clear that some parents (me included) didn't have any options during lockdown and with the best will in the world, children did miss out. I can't get over them shutting the outdoor play areas in spring time. So cruel and honestly, how much did that really prevent spread of covid? I'll never forget my just turned two year old crying outside the play area because he couldn't understand why he couldn't go in for a swing or play on the slide. Absolutely outrageous and infuriating to me.

Anyway, I've found this thread very interesting and, even though I'd like to think I'm doing a good job of doing the things everyone on here recommends, it still helps to have a reminder of how important it is to their development. I didn't detect any malice in the op, except frustrations over how undervalued EY staff are and that's a frustration I share

100% agree!!!

The Conservative government in my province in Canada have done a lot wrong over the last few years, but something they did right was keeping daycares open even when most workplaces and schools were closed. And they’re working to negotiate a $10-per-day daycare programme with the federal government, which will lower the cost for families but also creates thousands of new places. (I’ll omit the fact that they’re the only province to not have something like this already set up…)

Our high quality daycare is one of the things I value most in life right now, truly. I see how my kids are thriving there. I marvel at the rules, sayings, manners, songs, and poems they come home with. I mean, I try to foster learning and good behaviour at home, but there’s something unique about learning with peers, and being guided by real experts.

I’m a giant advocate for valuing early childhood educators more. I agree with PPs who have noted that this traditionally “women’s work” has been undervalued for way too long. I joined the board of our daycare last year, and the first thing I did was work with the head to rejig the centre’s finances. Result: $2500 annual raise for all staff. I encourage others to look into doing the same!

@picklemewalnuts

Many many parents do not know that these things matter though.

I actually think it's grounded in sexism. It was women's work, mothering, and therefore not important or skilled. It was untaught, it was modelled.

Women's work rearing their children was abandoned as women went into the mainstream workforce, and parenting became 'supervising them so they don't have accidents', essentially the skill was lost.

I've expressed it clumsily, I know.

I think this is it, the instinctive skill of mothering wasn't and hasn't been valued and now it is somewhat lost. Another poster quesrioned whether not doing it came first, or nurseries doing so parents stopped. I think nurseries started so parents stopped, maybe they doubted themselves, thought the nurseries could do it better and so on. Especially for lower income families, it is harder when you're stressed about getting food on the table, but could it also be a chain reaction starting with self doubt, you want better, let the professionals do it and it has progressed to a lack of motherly modelling. As time goes on, parents feel it is not their place, not sure how and so fourth.

You're right about it supervising them, parenting is now 'I kept the children alive, they're in bed and now I'm going to drink wine after a long day', rather than 'we went for a walk and they pointed out every snail and spoke about the different colours of the flowers'. Things that some of us would consider normal, and were normal for a long time.

There's some really interesting posts here.

@Noisyprat

For me though it's early years development. I am in my 50's, we didn't have all of this 'education'. We just played, might have gone to a locally run play group but that was it. Guess what, the majority turned out ok.

When my DC started in nursery/pre-school for me it was waaay too much 'learning through play' and pictures and meeting objectives and targets, it really got on my nerves. Just let children play, enjoy themselves, interact, they will learn. IMO you don't need all this organising, it's so intense. I would be interested to see what the impact of all this has been.

Yes to this. There was then the "feedback" stage when they tell you how your child isn't doing x, y and z. I think it made very little difference to my children tbf.

It did help me as I had no wider family support so it added to the overall well-being of our family.

Early Years is hugely important. There's a really good TED talk about the impact of early years on later attainment in the US. In fact, teaching secondary I was quite often depressed that by the time they came to us (statistically speaking) their educational outcomes were pretty set.

That said, I'm not sure that a good school or pre-school can compensate totally for parental engagement and enrichment in the home.

I thought according to UD research that the "education" side had been deemed not helpful long term ( though successful for a couple of years) and that social skills were the most important thing to focus on?

US.

In any case robust research is the way to go.

@Invasionofthegutsnatchers

You don't need to go to childcare to learn these - many children don't and are school ready. Yes you need to socialise your children but it doesn't need to be paid childcare, I can be through toddler groups and family

@RobinBlackbird

I thought according to UD research that the "education" side had been deemed not helpful long term ( though successful for a couple of years) and that social skills were the most important thing to focus on?

The problem is that although damn near every single EYFS teacher and worker would agree with you on that they are pushed to get the children to reach the Early Learning Goals. You are given a target of the number of children that are expected to reach the goals. If you don’t get them there then you have to explain why and it could result in your school failing it’s OFSTED. As a EYFS professional you might very well be of the opinion that the children should be learning social skills and turn taking but you are expected to get them to write a legible sentence. Now there are of course ways to do this through play etc but for a lot of children this isn’t what they need.

Absolutely agree. It's all the stuff that isn't academic that is so vital in the preschool years - turn taking, winning and losing, running and catching. And fun! Not just in formal preschool settings but playgroups as well. SureStart was priceless and it is appalling it was binned in the name of austerity.

It's an invaluable part of growing up and I was astonished from the start of lockdown that this was substituted with Zoom lessons.

I'm beginning to think that we ought to be teaching children to say please and thank you, play co-operarive games before ABCs. Perhaos they should be last year of nursery & reception EYFS goals. 15 hours for nursery and 30 for reception. No EYFS before that. All about good manners, habits, working together and playing in the sandpit.
Formal work and full time school beginning in Year 1.

I'll eat my hat if that happens. But I can't help but wonder if it wouldn't be for the benefit of society!

I think it should be possible to highlight that there are concerns about the impact that the pandemic has had on children's development without this being construed as criticism towards the parent/s or care givers. I work in early years and I really cannot overstate the difference in our current cohort compared to previous years. Particularly the 2-4 year olds. We have more children than ever before on our Sen register, many children are finding it difficult to engage, participate, turn-take etc, even now that things have been relatively normal for some time. Lots of early experiences didn't happen and it's had an impact. It's no ones fault, and in the majority of cases children are beginning to develop the skills to make up for this 'gap'. I have a pre-school aged child. Her early development opportunities were affected by lockdowns. My ability to cope with keeping her entertained at home is still impacted even now and I'm a postgraduate educated early years worker. I should have all the tools in my kit! I feel like I used it all up almost. I don't think that early years is essential for all children. But I do think play is learning for all children and that this is essential. And that there are typically a great deal of children who have a wider range of experiences when they attend a setting. It's not about who's a good parent and who's not, but time, money, responsibilities and/or knowledge are barriers in many cases. The last few generations of parents are generally considered to be more stretched than ever before. I certainly feel that but understand it won't be the case for everyone.

I agree with you, OP. It's a shame the EYFS stops at YR and the children are then catapulted into Y1 and formal learning without necessarily having a sound foundation.

I wonder if we'll ever truly realise quite how much a lot of young children lost though Covid. Not just school and nursery time, but playdates, parties (pass-the-parcel is great for learning to take turns and saying thank you to your host and writing a thank you card for presents is great for manners), holidays and days out, baby and toddler groups. And many new mothers lost the chance to make friends with others with babies the same age who would become their toddlers' first friends.

I know of a number of small children, now approaching school age, who have spent a large part of the last two years inside a cramped or overcrowded home, often with no outside space, watching a screen while a stressed parent tries to balance work and older children in financially difficult circumstances.

My background is in the early years and yes OP early years development is massively important. I don’t necessarily feel that it has to happen through attending an early years setting(I chose not to use them for my dc) but encouraging the development of skills in those early years is vital.

@LifeGoesOn222

I agree with you, OP. It's a shame the EYFS stops at YR and the children are then catapulted into Y1 and formal learning without necessarily having a sound foundation.

I wonder if we'll ever truly realise quite how much a lot of young children lost though Covid. Not just school and nursery time, but playdates, parties (pass-the-parcel is great for learning to take turns and saying thank you to your host and writing a thank you card for presents is great for manners), holidays and days out, baby and toddler groups. And many new mothers lost the chance to make friends with others with babies the same age who would become their toddlers' first friends.

I know of a number of small children, now approaching school age, who have spent a large part of the last two years inside a cramped or overcrowded home, often with no outside space, watching a screen while a stressed parent tries to balance work and older children in financially difficult circumstances.

I agree.

I teach year 1 and I’ve never known a year like it for low level disruption and poor social skills.

Like you say these children didn’t just miss out on being in school but also on things like family weddings and parties where they have to wait or are expected to be quiet. They haven’t had play dates so having to be polite in someone else’s house. They haven’t been to cubs/rainbows and had to share or take turns. No birthday parties, soft play, swimming lessons. All these times when you learn that you are not the centre of attention, when you learn to be polite or wait your turn.

@Noisyprat

For me though it's early years development. I am in my 50's, we didn't have all of this 'education'. We just played, might have gone to a locally run play group but that was it. Guess what, the majority turned out ok.

When my DC started in nursery/pre-school for me it was waaay too much 'learning through play' and pictures and meeting objectives and targets, it really got on my nerves. Just let children play, enjoy themselves, interact, they will learn. IMO you don't need all this organising, it's so intense. I would be interested to see what the impact of all this has been.

I couldn't agree more. How on earth did we manage before all this organised pre-school activity? We just played in the street at cowboys and Indians,whooping like Apaches, running errands for neighbours, playing wee schools, dressing up a cat in doll's clothes, sprinting past the haunted house on the corner...We sang like angels at Sunday School and Hallowe'en and hurried home hopping to see who could hop the longest and out with the skipping ropes till tea time... It was grand.

Completely agree OP. I was on a preschool committee and it made me so sad that the wonderful, highly qualified staff were on minimum wage. The work they do needs to be valued and rewarded appropriately.

'The death of the children's centres was a terrible decision
and
SureStart was priceless and it is appalling it was binned in the name of austerity.

DS is almost 15 but I used to take him to sure start centres in SE London in a deprived area. We were not the families targeted as dual income, not requiring parenting support etc - generally the children attending the centres and activities I engaged in several times a week were not the children it was aimed at.

What we have come to realise though is that the services need to be Universal, for people to be willing to come in to the centre. You only have to look at 'Parenting Courses' to show how only "targeting parents that need it" mean very few people access these courses when actually they could be brilliant for many of us. Stay and Plays, learning to cook groups, and all the other brilliant things CCs used to do, meant people walked through the door. Once there and once the relationship was built, then targeted support can start. Without them, any "intervention" is seen as "the social" and to be avoided at all costs.

Exactly, noone wants to be targeted ime.