Nursery World - Editor's view

Two stories that Nursery World has run recently online provoked a huge reaction on social media, and both raise similar questions about the way we work with young children.

'Twitter outrage over headteacher's EYFS comments' looked at the reaction to a video of the former head of St George's primary school in Battersea, explaining the 'structured teaching' approach in early years, even involving elocution lessons, that had led to excellent results. Her comment, 'What is the nonsense that we play every day in the early years?' gave rise to many angry comments. Her interview also had its defenders, however, with some agreeing that three was not too young to learn the tripod grip.

It was perhaps her claim to have 'eliminated' special educational needs that was most controversial, leading early years commentators to ask what the long-term effects would be on these children.

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