Opinion

Why Early Years Teacher standards fail the youngest children

The Early Years Teacher standards have a vital role in shaping the nature of the work that early years teachers will undertake and the training towards meeting those standards.

Thus, they will strongly influence what happens in practice with our youngest children in early years settings, many of whom spend long hours in day care. It is therefore imperative that the Standards take full account of the knowledge and experience of the early years sector, academic experts and organisations representing these, as well as paying attention to research evidence.

In light of this, we are concerned and disappointed on two fronts in relation to the new standards:

1. The consultation responses have not been taken into account adequately;

2. The standards show several serious omissions and include several aspects that will skew work with young children.

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