Nursery World - Welsh Foundation Phase launches despite funding fears

The statutory roll-out of the Foundation Phase for three-to-four year-olds in Wales began yesterday, despite concerns over a 10m shortfall in funding.

First minister Rhodri Morgan and education minister Jane Hutt marked the first day of the roll-out with a visit to Brynnau primary school in Brynna.

Mr Morgan said, ‘The Foundation Phase will help us reduce under-achievement and low esteem among primary school children and get to those who struggle to read even they reach 10 and 11 years-old, which has hampered children's learning for too long.'

But groups such as the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) Cymru insist that an extra £10m funding, on top of the £30m already allocated, is required to ensure staff:child ratios of 1:8 can be rolled out from nursery through to reception.

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