Opinion: In my view - When to say no to EYFS

OpenEye, with its strong background in research and academia, is providing that voice of reason for us as the Government launches the EYFS.

Of course, we would all like every child to spend their first five years within a caring family, with two parents and only short periods of separation. Of course we would like those children who must be cared for outside their own homes to have the highest possible standards of quality care. But we don't live in an ideal world.

Early years practice has come a long way in a short time, and not least as a result of the huge investment of public finance that has been poured into the sector. But the Government is now in a fix of its own making. By placing inappropriately high expectations on the outcomes of later key stages, ministers now appear to have nowhere to go for a solution but down the age range, placing even more stringent demands on outcomes for younger and younger children. Surely the place to start a campaign is where the targets bite most deeply - at the top end of the system, whence has come such pressure that, in order to reach the goals on key stage one, two and three the youngest children have to face insurmountable expectations which most of them have no hope of meeting.

While we put our efforts behind a campaign for a realistic, enjoyable and age appropriate curriculum for all children, let us support our colleagues in the early years who are now working to the principles of the EYFS, by giving them the materials they need, the guidance they seek and the strength to say no when asked to set inappropriate targets, plan inappropriate activities and endorse inappropriate or externally imposed programmes.