Ms Truss talks about 2 year olds

[sarah707]

The Minister's View - Best start for all two-year-olds | Nursery World

Interesting article - I see a bias towards 'early education' going on ... what do you think guys? x

[Rick]

It certainly looks that way Sarah......

[Stapleton83]

Hmm ... it would certainly look like it Sarah.

Sam x

[Jiorjiina]

She was quite heavily emphasising early education, wasn't she? I don't understand this obsession she has with education being sitting at a desk quietly working or listening to a teacher. At 2 years old??!!

[CLL]

Sounds dire. Where is the fun? Yes there is a gap that needs narrowing for these children but how is forcing them to learn in a generic school way the answer. Just going to lead to more disaffected children.

[Ripeberry]

Chained to the desk in childhood in preparation for being chained to the desk in adulthood. I'm getting so sinical (sp?) these days. I won't have any part in this. If it becomes mandatory to make kids sit down at 2yrs old then I'm leaving childcare. It's just not right.

[singingcactus]

Can someone please point me in the direction of exactly where she says that early years education = sitting behind a desk. I know she said a while ago that many nurseries were chaotic from which many people inferred that she intended early years settings to be victorian silent places with workbooks etc. But can someone please direct me to where she actually says it rather than where everyone has decided this is what she is implying.
All I see in this article is her talking about early years education, this is what we provide isn't it? I certainly do, and there are no workbooks in my setting. I don't understand all this hostility and panic making that is going on. She is talking about raising standards so they are consistant across all local authorities.
I understand she is trying to bring in agencies, which very few on the forum feel are a good idea. I certainly don't want them. However, if we continue to be dramatic about every press release from her we run the risk of no longer being taken seriously, and having people believe that we do need overseeing agencies to control the hysterics.

[SYLVIA]

I can see the behaviour of the bored 2 year olds sitting on chairs will drive all these wonderful new carers to distraction and they will leave the profession very soon. It's hard to get a 2 year old to sit and colour a picture for mummy sometimes, let alone learn stuff

[emma04]

She doesn't know her ass from her elbow I'm afraid!

Children under 5 just need time to play independently under the supervision of adults who should be there to maintain their safety, guide them and be on the look out for potential difficulties a child may be facing developmentally NOT teach them!!

In my opinion teaching is a structured regime that should take place after children have had a chance to develop their imagination, problem solving skills and their social skills (including empathy)

The word 'foundation' means 'base' a place upon which something is built securely!

When will people understand that the difference between a child that has been in a childcare setting under the age of 5 is rarely more advantaged than a child that has been at home with a parent or relative!!! There are pros and cons to both situations and always will be, nothing can be perfect!!

More concentration should be applied to the home lives of the under fives and more money should be available so that ALL children can be monitored regularly regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances! Too many children are slipping through the net because they're not 'needy' enough and far too many are being failed by political correctness and lack of common sense!!

I am now firmly stood on solid ground and the soap box is under the stairs!!

[Jiorjiina]

Can someone please point me in the direction of exactly where she says that early years education = sitting behind a desk. I know she said a while ago that many nurseries were chaotic from which many people inferred that she intended early years settings to be victorian silent places with workbooks etc. But can someone please direct me to where she actually says it rather than where everyone has decided this is what she is implying.
All I see in this article is her talking about early years education, this is what we provide isn't it? I certainly do, and there are no workbooks in my setting. I don't understand all this hostility and panic making that is going on. She is talking about raising standards so they are consistant across all local authorities.
I understand she is trying to bring in agencies, which very few on the forum feel are a good idea. I certainly don't want them. However, if we continue to be dramatic about every press release from her we run the risk of no longer being taken seriously, and having people believe that we do need overseeing agencies to control the hysterics.

It's because she's very very pro French école maternelle style, where this is part of the structure.

See Childcare minister Elizabeth Truss attacks unruly nurseries, where we get gems like:

"What you notice in French nurseries is just how calm they are. All of their classes are structured and led by teachers. It's a requirement. Children get into the habit of waiting their turn, of saying hello to the teacher when they come into the room," she said. "They learn to socialise with each other, pay attention to the teacher and develop good manners, which is not the case in too many nurseries in Britain."

"This isn't about two-year-olds doing academic work – it's structured play which teaches children to be polite and considerate through activities which the teacher is clearly leading."

Where as when she was talking about British nurseries, she said this:

"Free-flow play is not compulsory, but there is a belief across lots of nurseries that it is. I have seen too many chaotic settings, where children are running around. There’s no sense of purpose."

And this:

‘We want children to learn to listen to a teacher, learn to respect an instruction, so that they are ready for school.’

The underlying theme through all of her talk about the planned reforms is that free play is bad, adult led play is good. And anything that makes children ready to start school is even better.

[jackie 7]

And in 10 years when all the children who have suffered under her changes will be bored, unmotivated and illiterate people will wonder why she was allowed to ruin the lives of the future.

[watgem]

I'm just wondering when governments will realise that parents have the most important role and responsibility in caring for and educating children? It doesn't matter how young children are when they begin their educational journey, r how good or caring their providers are, parents need to be on board fr it to make a difference.

[Ripeberry]

I'm just wondering when governments will realise that parents have the most important role and responsibility in caring for and educating children? It doesn't matter how young children are when they begin their educational journey, r how good or caring their providers are, parents need to be on board fr it to make a difference.

But they are factoring OUT the parents as they want Dads and Mums out there working all hours! Don't even think of spending time with your own kids

[The Juggler]

Sounds dire. Where is the fun? Yes there is a gap that needs narrowing for these children but how is forcing them to learn in a generic school way the answer. Just going to lead to more disaffected children.

especially when many studies have shown that these child do better at formal education and the gap is closing slightly, when these children have access to quality early years provision. The definition of quality early years provision being "following a child's interests, play based, supporting children to be independent in their thinking and learning and interactive adult child provision (SST - with adult listening and supporting child). NONE of which can be achieved wiht children sitting at desks and listening to a teacher

[Simona]

Has the Minister for Childcare 'actually' said anything we don't already know?

Yes 2 year olds benefit from high quality...well she should know that having quoted EPPE to destruction and if she had looked at the Perry Preschool Project which High Scope is based on , she would know that it works
I detest the label 'disadvantaged' stuck on these children and their families...some are poor, well the govt could enforce the minimum wage and take those families out of poverty for a start

Some we know have additional needs and possible major traumas and issues such as domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse and much more...so they do need the best of care, so why are the LAs still dragging their feet when it comes to including outstanding/good cms?

There is still a shortage of around 70,000 places for these kids...nurseries and preschools have been granted funds to expand while cms have the spaces already and do not require any expansion...maybe a good training sessions to prepare them for the additional and extensive paperwork involved, the possibility of having to work with several professional agencies...is that happening?

She praises our commitment and dedication of LAs and providers and seems pleased we will get £5.09 per hour but does not mention in some areas it drops to unacceptable levels when the children get to 3?
Her false praise grates on me a great deal!!

She seems to want joined up thinking...well to me that is the last thing I see with agencies, independent cms, hubs and stricter inspection framework that will lower grades and lower morale even further

She praises EYPS but will not grant them teacher status

I sincerely hope she will be elevated and moved to another dept where she knows her subject and does no harm to the workforce she will take over...if that happens it will be good bye and no thanks!!