Parliamentary petition to downgrade sixty-nine early years foundation stage learning and development targets

[mumoutandabout]

For those who have children new to early years education - the early years foundation stage sixty-nine compulsory targets have met with opposition from supporters of very varied educational philosophies.

As the mother of a four year old child, I am convinced these targets should be downgraded to recommendations only. I started a parliamentary petition which you may like to consider signing. Since this comes under the heading of campaigns, I'm assuming it is okay to post the link here.

Click here to go to the petition:

petitions.number10.gov.uk/parentsguideeyfs/

Thanks

paisleyleaf there isn't actually any hierarchy in the EYFS "targets"

No, I understand that. I just meant high up on the list as I was reading down.

Hello there,
Two things, firstly I've just written an new blog post which explains points raised around the issue of the 'compulsory' nature of the EYFS learning and development requirements in some detail. It's over two thousand words long, so I can't reproduce it here obviously but if you follow the link which purepurple posted, you'll find it.

Secondly, just to clarify and avoid misunderstandings - although I admire the work of Open Eye greatly and would be pleased if my own writings assisted them in their work, I am emphatically NOT a member of Open Eye. Repeat: NOT a member.

Have a good evening everyone.

I can't find it.

Here paisley

ah thankyou.
I don't know what to say.
OP, you sound frightened. Hopefully you'll be reassured as your DD (with any luck) enjoys her time at school. Learning through play and with proper support.
The blog says that many of the EYFS targets are age inappropriate - which ones?

Compulsory aside, I do think the number of targets are a burden on children and staff and I will sign your petition.
The targets are also impossible to assess properly when they contain such detail. For example I went to a coffee morning at my daughter's preschool recently and looked at her records. There were many targets unchecked that she has achieved months ago simply because they have not been obsevered in the limited time she is there. I didn't raise it as they were beyond where she is supposed to be and having a box ticked does not interest me anyway but they don't really have a thorough understanding of her intellectual abilities, nor would I want them to. I want her to be happy, safe, occupied through a variety of exciting activities and interacted with at preschool. Yes write some notes on her under broad headings and let me know about any issues but don't waste time ticking boxes.
My aunt is a reception teacher in a school in a deprived area that recently went into special measures because of Y6 Sats results and a poor OFSTED (where Foundation got a 'good'). The intervention staff came to her and said all children in her form should be able to "write a sentence using punctuation" by Xmas. It was a ridiculous target for the children. Luckily the new head has a brain and and has made more realistic targets.

The focus should be more about creative interesting substantial teaching and care rather than which box you can tick when and have something to show the inspectors.

Thanks for your heartfelt concern paisleyleaf, but I'm a big girl now, I'm sure I can look after myself...(and my family)

corriefan, the point you make here is an important one, I feel. I'm sure there will be more discussion around it.

Oh, and Corriefan, thanks for signing.
best

Re: "age inappropriate targets" these words appear as part of a quote from Dr. Richard House which is featured on the blog.

At this point Dr. House has just returned from Canada and is probably catching up on much-needed sleep, but I will certainly ask him more about this at the next opportunity.

Do you think many of them are 'age inappropriate'?

'Do you think many of them are 'age inappropriate'?'

Good question, paisleyleaf.

• I'd add, 'and why'?

I'm going to pick up on this one too with my own opinion on the blog, so stay tuned to the blog for more on this one.

Of course, don't take my word for all this, you could always do your own research and share it with us if you felt so inclined...

I probably would research it if I had a problem, but luckily my DD doesn't seem to feel 'tested' and the teacher seems to be treating the class age appropriately.

As a reflective practitioner (and a reflective parent) I see the sense in keeping up to date with current research (and doing my own as far as I can). That's what life-long learning is all about! You never stop learning!

How's everyone doing with the snow? My visitors have had to stay put, schools closed, lots of things put on hold right now...

Just to say, new post available on the link which someone previously mentioned. It's very long and tackles some but not all of the issues raised here.
best