This year's Foundation Stage Profile results make depressing but predictable reading (see News, page 4). Once again the lowest scores were in communication, language and literacy (CL&L), with boys faring worse than girls. Once again, the Government is choosing to ignore the fact that many CL&L early learning goals are inappropriate for children of that age. The results are unlikely to improve any time soon. If anything, they may get worse, particularly with the introduction of statutory phonics in the Foundation Stage and if the DfES fails to bring greater clarity to its EYFS guidance document and to train practitioners properly in delivering the new curriculum. Our eight-page guide, 'The global dimension in education', starting on page 13, has proved very timely, as it coincides with the publication this week of a 700-page Government report that outlines the dire consequences for us all if we fail to act now to counteract the effects of global warming.
This year's Foundation Stage Profile results make depressing but predictable reading (see News, page 4). Once again the lowest scores were in communication, language and literacy (CL&L), with boys faring worse than girls. Once again, the Government is choosing to ignore the fact that many CL&L early learning goals are inappropriate for children of that age. The results are unlikely to improve any time soon. If anything, they may get worse, particularly with the introduction of statutory phonics in the Foundation Stage and if the DfES fails to bring greater clarity to its EYFS guidance document and to train practitioners properly in delivering the new curriculum.
Our eight-page guide, 'The global dimension in education', starting on page 13, has proved very timely, as it coincides with the publication this week of a 700-page Government report that outlines the dire consequences for us all if we fail to act now to counteract the effects of global warming.
Early years settings have an important role to play in educating the global citizens of the future. Thankfully, global issues are already on the agenda in some settings, including those of our regular columnist Alan Bentley, who this week explains how his nursery chain is buying local when it comes to food, so avoiding the environmentally costly produce flown in from abroad (To the Point, page 31).
