Nursery World - Campaigners to draw up 'alternative' EYFS

A new group made up of academics and practitioners will draft an alternative early years curriculum, amid concerns that the review of the EYFS does not go far enough in reforming the current early years framework.

Early Childhood Action acknowledges that attempts have been made to simplify the early learning goals, which have been cut from 69 to 17, but says the Government’s focus on targets and monitoring is leading to the ‘schoolification’ of early childhood.

The group, which has the backing of more than 50 academics, practitioners and early years organisations, will draw up an alternative early years curriculum – the Alternative Foundation Phase.

The letter announcing the group’s intentions, published by The Daily Telegraph, has been signed by 22 leading figures including children’s author Philip Pullman, Oxford University neuroscientist Baroness Greenfield, child development expert Dr Penelope Leach, and literacy specialist and author of the book Toxic Childhood, Sue Palmer.

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