Nursery World - No direction for nursery schools in White Paper

The Government's academy plans have left nursery schools in limbo, says Kathryn James

When will we ever begin to understand and act on the implications that lie behind the platitudinous words that are uttered about nursery education? ‘Invaluable’, ‘crucial to deliver enhanced life chances’, ‘most important part of a child’s education’. These are all fine sentiments, but carry with them a need for support, funding and, above all, inclusion in the overall plan for education. We must recognize that, just because we say nice things about nursery schools, that will not make everything fall into place.

The Government’s recent White Paper, Education Excellence Everywhere, is wide-ranging, setting out its vision for the whole education system. It looks at teachers and leaders, at the curriculum and funding, at accountability and assessment. Yet again, however, nursery schools are seemingly overlooked and left in limbo. Questions are raised by the initiatives outlined in the White Paper for which there is no clear direction for nursery schools.

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