Nursery World - Steiner settings opting out of EYFS early learning goals

Nearly all the Steiner schools and kindergartens in England are applying for exemptions to some or all of the Early Learning Goals.

Janni Nicol, early childhood representative for the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship, said, 'Unfortunately, we have had to apply for exemptions or modifications to some of the learning and development requirements which conflict with the Steiner Waldorf approach to formal introduction of literacy, numeracy and the requirement regarding electronic gadgetry and ICT.'

In some cases Steiner schools and kindergartens are also applying for exemptions to the assessment regulations requirement to submit EYFS Profile data.

Wynstones School in Gloucester submitted an application for exemption to some of the EYFS learning and development requirements to the QCA just before Easter. The school for children up to 18 has two kindergartens for three- to six-year-olds, which are funded by parents and do not receive local authority funding for the early years entitlement.

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