Ofsted(?) and what can and can't be taught

[stressed2007]

There are a few ructions at our nursery to the extent where I and several mothers are moving children. I have been told (second hand from another mother) that one of the teachers said that due to Ofsted guideline (I query whether it would be them) children can no longer be taught to read or to do maths at nursery. Almost as if they are no longer able to be taught anything they might be taught in reception. Apparently they will no longer be writing their names or doing handwriting pratcice. Does this sound like (a) rubbish (b) like it has got a little confused with a genuine policy or (c) is an actual guideline? Thanks vey much

there is confusion i feel due to the eyfs framework what you will probably find it boils down to is Ofsted now work to the same framework throughout England and it is designed to ensure all children get equal opportunities and that whatever provider parents choose is delivering the same type of education etc the EYFS is not normally delivered through worksheets but by hands on activities so no maths would not be taught but various activities teach that anyway e.g. how many cups do we need on the table or which is the biggest spoon

this website might help explain things a bit morenationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/search/earlyyears/results/nav%3A46528

I'd go with
(a) rubbish

From EYFS Statutory Framework - Appendix A

Linking Sounds and Letters

1. Uses phonic knowledge to read simple regular words.

Reading

1. Is developing an interest in books.
2. Knows that print conveys meaning.
3. Recognises a few familiar words.
4. Knows that, in English, print is read from left to right and top to bottom.

Numbers as Labels and for Counting

1. Says some number names in familiar contexts, such as nursery rhymes.
2. Counts reliably up to three everyday objects.
3. Counts reliably up to six everyday objects.
4. Says number names in order.
5. Recognises numerals 1 to 9.

Do you want me to go on? The sections above are longer but I've included those that children leaving nursery I feel could achieve. I suppose it could be argued that in nursery children may not get as high as number 7 in Linking Sounds and Letters but you would expect a 4 year old (nearly 5) to know their numbers from 1 to 9. Wouldn't you?

What NannyNick said I feel that either your nursery is talking pants and they should read the manual.

Or their has been a breakdown in communication and some of the parents have got the wrong end of the stick.

I work as a childminder under the EYFS framework and have no idea what your nusery is talking about.

They more or less have to teach your children these things; well basic reading and maths, handwriting practice sounds a bit brutal to me.!

Do you think they mean they don't sit down and "teach" but learn through play instead?

For eg I would never sit a child down and ask them to copy a sentence down 30 times so they get practice at writing. But I would happily let them practice writing on paper/magna doodle if that is what they wanted to do.

I notice you called the nursery worker a teacher - is your child in a prep nursery/similar?

"whatever provider parents choose is delivering the same type of education"

which is really shit if you would like a choice about whether you child gets an "education" at 2 or 3 years of age.

I send my daughter to a childminder, at least in part because I don't see any reason at all for anybody to be educating her before she starts nursery at 3 and even then I only want play-based learning and no bullshit about reading and maths.

Luckily I don't live in England, but the idea that you achieve some kind of equality by forcing everyone to do the same thing at the same age is just ideologically driven nonsense.

It can depend on where you are a bit. The nursery my daughter attended was in North Hampshire and when the EYFS was introduced the LEA approached them and basically said your job is 1-4 at each level if you try to start to teach these children to read we will remove your funding for 3 to 4 year olds.
It made the pre-school manager really angry, but she felt she had no option. Over the border (less than half a mile) West Berkshire did not impose these restrictions.
However, they ensured that my DD had achieved 1-5 in every section when she went to school. So reading etc came really fast a school.