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View Full Version : This is very interesting.....



SimplyLucy
26-05-2008, 11:17 AM
http://news.aol.co.uk/schools-slam-under-fives-curriculum/article/20080525221109990009

mrsb
26-05-2008, 11:44 AM
I have to agree with it as well, one of my parents is a teacher and she said the reason I have her children is because she wants them in a home environment and not to be "taught", if she wanted them to be taught she would have sent them to school, she said it is as if you start them at school as soon as they are born. I tend to agree really

disney
26-05-2008, 12:04 PM
totally agree with you ! i dont really like the idea of the eyfs just know that i have been told i have to do it . but many parent have said that they dont really like it and they like the homley enviroment . i think they learn lots from things we do from day to day any way dont they :)

Spangles
26-05-2008, 12:18 PM
I can see their point but surely EYFS is natural learning like children would do at home and with us anyway? We've not got to sit them down and give them instruction or lessons, it's just normal every day things that we do and that parents would do but we've just got to apply EYFS to it - i.e. label it with their headings (whatever they're called! I forget!).

That's how I see it anyway.

I have taken it on board that nothing's really changed from when doing Birth to Three, it's just different terminology and understanding what different activities will be helping the child to experience and learn.

Is that right or have I got to start panicking about EYFS all over again? Got to say I'm getting quite confused again!

MissTinkerbell
26-05-2008, 01:08 PM
Like Lorri, I agree but then I do come from a teaching background. As I see it, the EYFS is something we all do anyway whether intentionally or as par the course. It takes what is good practice from B23 and the Foundation Stage and combines them to make sure we are all singing from the same song sheet and makes mostforms of childcare professional.

I also think that it will do the professionalism of childminding good as well because although the vast majority are professional and offer superb care there are some (and many in my village) who see it as an easy job. Hopefully these so called childminders willl pack the job in leaving parents with a wealth of good quality childcare choices.

Essentially I think that the EYFS is a great idea and will actually focus us more to ensure that we are doing everything we possibly can to make sure that we give our children the best possible start in their life's journey. I think that the Early Years are the most important stage in a child's life because if you don't get the foundations right then how can we expect children to flourish and achieve later on?

It advocates the importance of play and more importantly the fact that children gain a higher level of learning when they have chosen the play themselves. Something Early Year's specialists have known for a very long time - I remember studying the work of Tina Bruce at college and she advocated the importance of child-initiated play way back then.

However the one thing that concerns me is the level of Government involvement in very young children's lives, that comes with the introduction of the EYFS. I just hope that they do stick to the theory that we can base our days around the children's interests and be spontaneous (sp?) in what we do. If not then we might as well send them to school as soon as they are born.:mad:

I do agree with the lack of parental choice in deciding whether or not you want your child to partake in the EYFS. It seems the only way that they don't have to is if they stop at home with mum/dad or a relative; or you employ a nanny. However I'm sure that eventually it will even become compulsory here too.

Time I guess will only tell how successful or unsuccessful the EYFS will be.

Tatia
26-05-2008, 06:30 PM
If implemented properly, EYFS will have NO visible impact on the child. They'll be encouraged to play, investigate, have fun and get outside as much as possible. It's just asking that adults who provide care are familiar with ages and stages of development and likely next steps to extend play and learning. How can that be a bad thing?

Probably any childminder worth their salt is already doing everything right and all they need to learn to do is prove it.

vix84
27-05-2008, 09:00 AM
I think it is important to think about the parents of the mindee - do they seem like they want to know all about the eyfs - or will they be put off?

I know mine will be put off - so I just implement it and dont mention it to much. I just do the obs. ass. and planning, and get on with the usual day - it hasnt changed our days at all. The children still choose what to play/when/how, I just slot in the observations and in evenings I ass. and plan from them and do forms etc. We still suddenly decide to go to soft play centres and the park etc.
If anything it has made it beter as I dont bother with themes anymore - EYFS reminded me that it is important to remember that how can we plan long term when we dont what the child will be interested in. So I dont plan months in advance. We may make a display of animals, but this could take 2 days to do, or 2 months - whenever we want to and have time.


If a parent is really interested in EYFS etc. then you can show them all the paperwork etc. so it is up to you how you you use it and how much you change your day.
You are probably doing it all anyway - you just need to realise how!