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The pilot of Wales' Foundation Phase has gained widespread approval and highlighted possible lessons for the future in improving practice everywhere, says Simon Vevers 'Excellent and long overdue', 'the most beneficial curriculum for children I have ever experienced' - these are just some of the accolades that practitioners in the 41 pilot settings have been heaping on the Welsh Foundation Phase, following its implementation last year.

'Excellent and long overdue', 'the most beneficial curriculum for children I have ever experienced' - these are just some of the accolades that practitioners in the 41 pilot settings have been heaping on the Welsh Foundation Phase, following its implementation last year.

Their enthusiasm is reflected in a largely positive report on the introduction of the Phase, which is designed as 'a continuum of learning for children from the ages of three to seven', with an emphasis on children learning through 'experiential activities and play'.

A team of academics from the University of London's Institute of Education, the University of Oxford and the University of Wales have delivered the first report from the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Effective Implementation of the Foundation Phase project. Their second report is due to be published later this year. The roll-out of the Foundation Phase has been delayed from September 2006 to September 2008 so the lessons of its implementation can be fully absorbed.

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