What on earth is pre school/foundation numercay target?

[Piffle]

Got old that dd is being assessed for hitting early numeracy targets?
WTF?
She is 3, had some minor delays, but has made massive progress to catch up and loves numbers - I have noticed she is very numerate but does it actually need catering to in a school way yet???.
What does it mean, what will they do and would it be a really bad thing to ask them to lay off the assessment?
I am already withdrawing her from formal preschool (which she is not even IN yet) which she wold be due to start in Sept and putting her in Montessori... She is going through statementing due to extremely poor vision.
I've had it with intervention I think...
I am not evne sure who decided this?
I guess I should ring the nursery but you're open here and they are not

targets..what targets,they're not even in school yet.Bollocks to it I say!
Sorry not much help.

my first thought was
oh god what a load of horses arse...
Glad its not just me then
I'll just let her carry on counting her milky bar buttons in piles!!!!

Your DS is a fantastic mathematician, so it looks as if it's in the genes!

Not sure what they need to assess for or what they would do in the preschool setting, though I suppose it's good that they've noticed her ability.

The Foundation Stage numeracy targets are actually quite basic for many 3 year olds, so I guess she's doing quite a lot more than that for them to have noticed - you know, stuff like 'recognises numbers to 10', 'can say one more or less than any number up to 10', 'understands the principles of addition and subtraction'.

piffle, this sounds completely over the top! My DS is three, has had no delays, but still can't recognise numbers 1 -- 10 reliably!!!!! I'm sure it's nothing necessary, and if you are going down the montessori route I'm sure you can ask them not to bother...if she is going through statementing, could it be a hoop they have to get through for that, I wonder?

yes singers she can do all that with ease.
Freaky that I could have two maths boffs
That skill certainly skipped a generation
Hard to know whats average tbh as ds was very fast with numbers
Oh I'll ask nursery and then say no point she's leaving this week.
I guess I'm not sure what they would be expected to be able to do before entering school - she is not due til Sept 07, so it all seems very premature IMO

This site has the full details of the numeracy targets for the Foundation Stage - ie where they are meant to get to by the end of Reception year. So I guess your DD would be at least 2 years ahead if she is beyond those now.

DS2 had exceeded pretty much all the numeracy targets before he started Reception at just 4, but he was never flagged as particularly able by the nursery, which makes me think your DD must be showing something quite unusual!

Thx Singersgirl, that teh kinbd of think I was looking for.
Problem with dd is she has poor pencil holding skills mostly due to the visual issues. They are obviously looking at ways to encourage her skills that do not relay on being able to write.
This is what I gathered from them this morning when I asked.
I asked about what caused them to flag up the maths skills and they said a month or so ago, she counted down all her peas from lunch from 31 down
They were not even aware she knew how to count bet they will be stunned to find she knows her 5 times tables pmsl !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

beeping targets again...let her learn at her own pace the education providers in this country are making parents worried about nothing. Schools are trying to improve their ratings...stuff them do as you are doing they dont know your daughter I think if you push children they get turned off to learning..

in fairness..i can see both sides!
i have a child and i work wirh children in both a pre-school and after school setting so i see all sides of the argument here!
it's difficult as a provider of education cause you have to meet certain targets etc that are set in order to pass inspections etc!
but as a mum and a human being! i can completely understand that all these targets are such a waste of time! i personally don't like it and think that children should not have to meet any set targets especially in pre-schools...after all all children develop at thier own rates! as an after school carer i know that by the time the children get to me at 3.30pm there are so sick and tired of doing tests and the like that they are often grumpy and in the case of the little ones..quite weepy!
i think parents should be made to feel more comfortable about making thier feelings known in these areas and, we need to stop with this 'well they're the professionals, they should know' attitude!
i still do it and i am a professional/parent!
there, rant over..sorry i was actually no help at all there was I?
although i do think you were very brave to just say..stick this , I'm moving my child! well done you!

Hi Piffle, it sounds to me like the nursery have identified a 'special skill' in your dd's ability to count etc. The assessment won't be anything bad, and she won't have to do any tests, the nursery will probably plan activities specifically for your dd to take part in, in which to assess her ability. It may be that she is so ahead in her mathematical development that she needs support to further her skills, as the activities being planned at nursery are not stimulating her anymore.

I would make an appointment to speak to the manager/key worker to discuss this because you are obviously concerned. They will be able to tell you in more detail what they plan to do. Remember you have the right to request to see any info held about dd including observations that have been carried out. This may help you to see exactly why they feel the assessment is necessary.