(28 March). I won't repeat some of my comments while reading and watching videos where Mr Woodhead, in his former capacity at Ofsted, put his views, but the sign written on our school staff notice board the day he left his post said it all - 'HE'S GONE!!' and a smiley face.
In the face of all contrary evidence from Europe and around the world, as well as closer to home, Mr Woodhead still undervalues what is going on through play in early years settings. If he had had his way, a whole generation could have been scarred for life by not having had the opportunities to find things out independently and think for themselves.
If he thinks working in the early years sector is so simple, I'd like him to try to study the course I am on now. I am a nursery nurse in my third year of a BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, a full distance learning degree with the University of North London.
I agree with Mr Woodhead that children can benefit from being with their parents, and that many children now in early years settings probably would have been at home a few years ago. But this makes his suggestions while in office even more absurd, since he wanted a much more rigid system, thinking this would bring standards up. Yet the opposite is the case - children up to Year 1 or even Year 2 need plenty of activities where they can explore and find out the answers, with guidance from the adults around them.
Alison Griffin, West Croydon, Surrey.
