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

[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 anther 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 wil 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

oops meant to spell check this first!

i have no idea, but tbh i wouldn't want my nursery age child being taught to read and write unless they were showing a very keen interest in wanting to do it

why haven't you spoken to the nursery about it instead of moving your child on some second-hand information?

This is my take on it. It might be possible that Ofsted came and said there was too much structure and formal teaching? The current EYFS curriculum encourages a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. In my nursery, children's interests are taken into account and if a child was showing an interest in letters, for example, I could plan some activities based around that. But I would never 'force' learning to write/read etc on 2-4 year-olds. They have plenty of time for formal lessons when they reach primary school!

Some of my friends had the same concerns but the new Early Years Foundation Stage is predominantly a play based approach to learning. (which I think is a good thing.

The children should still be learning what they did before but with a different sort of approach. The days of formally sitting pre-schoolers down to work on writing their name has gone. If I was to be honest DS 3.5 has more awareness of letters, numbers and shapes now than DS 5 did at his age and I think this is because he can learn at his pace and in his own way.

Our nursery gave us loads of info on the Early Years Foundation Stage last year at parents evening and this answered a lot of peoples concerns. There is a parents guide to the EYFS on the internet that may be worth reading but I would defo speak to your nursery and question them on it.

As an experienced old nursery nurse, I agree with what olly500 says.
The emphasis is very much on letting the childre learn through play.

In the old days, children would be forced to sit down and made to write their names because it was on the planning. The plan says Friday morning all the children will learn to write their names. This, obviously, takes no account of whether children are ready to write their names, or whether they want to write them.

Under the EYFS, children have free access to lots of activities. If they have done a painting, then they might be encouraged to write their name on it. Sometimes it's just a squiggle, but it's still their mark.They still start school with the necessary skills.
The difference is in the delivery.
The EYFS continues until the end of the reception year, so the children should be having play-based learning at school too.

Children are encouraged to learn to read and write and do mathematics when they are ready and at their own pace. There will come a time when a child continually asks "what does that say?" Same with numbers.

If you do move your children, you next nursery shouldn't be 'teaching' reading and maths formally either. No nursery should.

I certainly wouldn't move a child from a nursery where they were happy on the second hand say so of other parent, without discussing all this with the nursery themselves.