UK Wedding News
04/02/2014
Education Minister Liz Truss is to writing to every local authority in England to get more toddlers on school sites at an earlier age.
However, some early years group claim the move is an attempt to provide childcare "on the cheap".
The announcement comes as councils try to fulfill a government pledge to offer free childcare places to 130,000 more disadvantaged two-year-olds. It has been reported that there are still tens of thousands of places short on this offer, which came into force in September 2013.
The number of places for disadvantaged children is set to increase to 260,000 next September with the spots being offered in pre-schools, nurseries or by childminders.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Mrs Truss said the type of childcare she would like to see in schools would be "age-appropriate".
She explained: "What you are doing with two-year-olds in terms of singing, reading stories, playing with paint is very different from what you do with a seven-year-old.
"If you have a really high-quality school nursery, children who are behind can catch up with their peers by the time they start school."
The Department for Education is currently trialling the idea in 49 primary schools, with each being given a £10,000 grant to discover how childcare and education for two-year-olds can best be provided. The department is also trying to pass a law that would remove the need for schools to register and be inspected separately with Ofsted for on-site nurseries.
The plans have been met with concern from a number of organisations.
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said the plans were welcome, but warned: "It's important to recognise that nursery provision for two-year-olds is very different from the formal school day of their older peers.
"Two-year-olds need high levels of support and care to help them learn and develop from skilled staff who can give the specialist support they need."
(JP/CD)
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Children Should Start School From Two
Schools are being encouraged to take in children from the age of two into on-site nurseries in a response to a shortage of childcare.Education Minister Liz Truss is to writing to every local authority in England to get more toddlers on school sites at an earlier age.
However, some early years group claim the move is an attempt to provide childcare "on the cheap".
The announcement comes as councils try to fulfill a government pledge to offer free childcare places to 130,000 more disadvantaged two-year-olds. It has been reported that there are still tens of thousands of places short on this offer, which came into force in September 2013.
The number of places for disadvantaged children is set to increase to 260,000 next September with the spots being offered in pre-schools, nurseries or by childminders.
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In an interview with The Telegraph, Mrs Truss said the type of childcare she would like to see in schools would be "age-appropriate".
She explained: "What you are doing with two-year-olds in terms of singing, reading stories, playing with paint is very different from what you do with a seven-year-old.
"If you have a really high-quality school nursery, children who are behind can catch up with their peers by the time they start school."
The Department for Education is currently trialling the idea in 49 primary schools, with each being given a £10,000 grant to discover how childcare and education for two-year-olds can best be provided. The department is also trying to pass a law that would remove the need for schools to register and be inspected separately with Ofsted for on-site nurseries.
The plans have been met with concern from a number of organisations.
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said the plans were welcome, but warned: "It's important to recognise that nursery provision for two-year-olds is very different from the formal school day of their older peers.
"Two-year-olds need high levels of support and care to help them learn and develop from skilled staff who can give the specialist support they need."
(JP/CD)
Top stories
20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant
Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance
Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth
Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend
Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life
Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle
Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans
Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids
Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters
Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
