Academies setting up nurseries pilot- lowering the age of entrance to 2 years

[Devon12]

Are you aware that a pilot scheme is taking place with 20 Academies opening nurseries in their premises, extending their age of entrance from 2 - 11?
Broadclyst Primary Academy Trust is at present consulting with parents, even though a pre-school is literally next door to the school.

www.bcps.org.uk/index.php/parents/early-years-consultation

Why is this in AIBU? What's your point?

AIBU thinking that this is not in the best interest of the children?

Our pre-school accepts children from 2.5 years, it's attached the the Primary School... so the age range would therefore be 2.5 - 11.

It works well. It's not compulsory. My Eldest wouldn't have been ready for pre-school at 2.5yrs, my youngest certainly was.

I don't really understand that this is not in the best interest of 'the children' in my experience, the children in the school all muddle along rather well, with only passing interest in those children who are considerably older or younger.

I will say that our school has a separate play area for pre-school children, the older children have a lot more room to roam at break time which wouldn't be suitable for very young children.

I think YABU, but I'm not realy sure what your point is.

The existing pre-school is attached to the school and already takes children from 2, but one of the arguments being put forward is that if the academy sets its own nursery the children will be better educated (coincidentaly the existing pre-school is Outstanding). It seems s

It seems strange to talk about 2 year olds being "better educated"

YABU My DD went to a small prep for early years. They sometimes took 2 year olds in with the nursery mixed reception class as it was tiny and if the 2 year old was mature enough then they fitted in fine. They were often with their sibling in a relaxed but educational environment and their parents could drop both off in one place.

So we had at one time about 3 2 year olds, about 6 3 year olds and about ten 4 year olds. They were great together and very happy. The older DC would be learning the rudiments of writing for short bursts but still their day was mostly play based, the little ones would be well engaged with painting, soft play, water play and supervised outdoor play. It was a lovely nursery.

Some parents work and some 2 year olds are articulate and capable. Others are not...and for those then this would not be a good scenario.

There is nothing wrong with ensuring 2 year olds are "well educated" at 2 life is about learning new things and adults involved in care can help greatly.

As long as it is all done in a very child friendly, child led play based manner what is the problem?

As far as I'm concerned, looking at some of the parents out there, the children should be entering some kind of daycare as soon as they leave the maternity unit Catch 'em young and they might have some kind of chance.

I wonder what kind of area this school is in? Is it an economically struggling place?

YABU
nursery education is still nursery education whatever age they are, as the EYFS is from 0-5 and the academy will have to follow it the same as any other nursery or pre-school

Quite the opposite Neo. The number of pupils on free school meals in the school is less than half national average. While there are some parts of Devon that are economically disadvantaged, I wouldn't say Broadclyst was one of them.

How is this funded? Will they only be taking those eligible for government funding at age 2? Or will it be an extension to that scheme, funded by the academy itself? Or will parents have to pay?

I have no problem with a pre-school taking 2 year olds, but I do have concerns about the proposed changes in child/ adult ratios that are pending.

AFAIK they've dropped the changes to the child/adult ratios.

In our area it is nightmare that there are not enough pre school places for those not old enough for school nursery. Either you have to be rich enough to afford day nursery from two years old or poor enough to get free childcare for two year olds.

If you wait until your child is old enough for the three year old grant then you cannot get a place in pre school or a decent nursery as all the places are taken.

Prehaps the academy and pre school will work together to provide a good pre school education and wrap around care for working parents.

No information has been given on whether they will start from scratch or try to take over the existing pre-school, thus limiting choice, nor on what the adult child ratios will be.