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Pre-school Learning Alliance welcomes the Early Years Foundation Stage framework

NEWS RELEASE

13 March 2007

Pre-school Learning Alliance welcomes the Early Years Foundation Stage framework

Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, the country’s largest voluntary provider of childcare said,

“The Alliance welcomes the publication of the EYFS which sets the standards for development, learning and care for all children from birth to five. The framework lays the foundation for a successful start in life for a generation of children.

The publication of the EYFS 18 months before its legal introduction is also welcomed. This will ensure that settings have time to be well-briefed and practitioners trained in their roles and responsibilities for the greatest benefit of the children in their care.

We are particularly pleased that a number of points raised in the Alliance’s response to the consultation have been incorporated. However we retain our strong view that the staff to child ratio of 1:13, where there is a teacher or Early Years Professional present, is too low and should be 1:8. This point has particular pertinence given the framework stipulates that assessments through the foundation stage take the form of observation via ‘look, listen and note’. While we fully support and promote this approach, we also believe it works to the maximum benefit of children when the staff to child ratio is higher.

We are pleased at the framework’s emphasis on settings working together with parents as partners. The principle of involving parents as partners in their child’s early education has been championed by the Alliance for over 40 years . We stress that partnerships between parents and early years practitioners work best for children when they are interactive and respect both parties.

We are pleased to see the framework materials are presented in multi-media formats: documents, poster, practice-cards and CD ROM making the EYFS more accessible and supporting settings to learn in their own chosen way. The CD ROM is particularly impressive as its matrix enables the practitioner to focus on a principle/theme for all ages and on a child’s age across all four themes.

Furthermore we are pleased to see that the statutory and the non-statutory elements of the EYFS; the guidance and the legal requirements are presented in two separate documents.

We look forward to working with the Primary National Strategy team and the DfES to support practitioners and enable them to engage positively with the framework.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Kate Summerside
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2502
Out of hours press calls: 07956 499621
E: Kate Summerside

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. Through direct provision and its membership of 15,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk
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