Although the experiment has not been positioned as such, it effectively raises the school starting age to rising six, something that many in the early years sector have long called for. If it works well, the system should provide reception-age children with more opportunities for play-based learning, a less disruptive Foundation Stage with no awkward transitions, and an experience less susceptible to downward pressures from Key Stage One and above.
Issues of funding might present difficulties, however, unless a children's centre is located on a primary school site and comes under the same governing body as the school. Otherwise, schools faced with losing their four-to five-year-olds, especially when school rolls are generally falling, are not likely to be so keen on this sort of approach.
This week, we reveal the results of our Nursery of the Year 2006 award, sponsored by Morton Michel Insurance (see page 4). Thanks to everyone who took the time to send in an entry. You can read all about the winning nurseries in next week's issue. Maybe it will inspire you to put your setting forward next year!
Liz Roberts, editor
