Nursery World - National Curriculum review - A springboard for success?

Headteacher Alison Peacock argues that the teaching profession should respond courageously to the draft curriculum by enhancing it with a richly diverse and irresistible school curriculum that builds on high-quality early years practice.

The EYFS Statutory Framework (DfE, 2012) presents a thoroughly informed vision about the early years, recognising the essential need for a balanced approach between the emotional, social, physical and intellectual areas of each child's development.

This clarity about aims and purpose underpins every aspect of the EYFS curriculum and informs pedagogy and assessment. An overarching set of principles is clearly articulated, emphasising the uniqueness of each child and the importance of positive relationships within an enabling environment. Recognition is also given to the fact that children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.

Contrast this, however, with the aims of the draft National Curriculum (DfE, 2013a) that give 'freedom' to teachers to focus on 'rigour', 'high standards' and 'essential knowledge in the key subject disciplines'. These aims are not presented within a principled evidence-based framework, but as a manifesto to meet the demands of the economy and a competitive global market.

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