Foundation Stage Essay
INSIDE THE FOUNDATION STAGE
R ec r eati n g th e recepti o n yea r
FINAL REPORT
R e po r t c om m i s s i oned and p ub l i s hed b y th e A s s oc i at i on of T eac her s and Lec t ur er s A ut hor s : Si ân A d am s , E l i s e A l ex ander , M a r y Jane D r um m ond and Janet Moy les
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers exists to promote the cause of education in the UK and elsewhere, to protect and improve the status of teachers, lecturers and non-teaching professionals directly involved in the delivery of education, and to further the legitimate professional interests of all members. For a free copy of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers’ publications catalogue, please call the ATL publications despatch line on …show more content…
The research began early in 2002, two years after the Foundation Stage was introduced. We knew implementation had not been easy, but we hoped for signs that the Government’s aspirations were beginning to be met. We sought indications that the introduction of the foundation stage was enabling the profession to argue more strongly for the play-based, principled early years provision that best suits children. We wanted to see that a reflective and knowledgeable teaching profession was beginning to feel trusted and supported by Government, their school leadership, LEAs and early years partnerships (EYDCPs) and that practitioners were feeling more confident to move away from a formal approach towards good early years practice in reception classes. We hoped this report would be a celebration and a sharing of good early years practice. Sadly, the research shows that this is not yet the case. ATL believes that many reception teachers feel unable to provide the kind of curriculum which their professional expertise tells them is right for young children. Government pressure on children to perform
R ec r eati n g th e recepti o n yea r
FINAL REPORT
R e po r t c om m i s s i oned and p ub l i s hed b y th e A s s oc i at i on of T eac her s and Lec t ur er s A ut hor s : Si ân A d am s , E l i s e A l ex ander , M a r y Jane D r um m ond and Janet Moy les
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers exists to promote the cause of education in the UK and elsewhere, to protect and improve the status of teachers, lecturers and non-teaching professionals directly involved in the delivery of education, and to further the legitimate professional interests of all members. For a free copy of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers’ publications catalogue, please call the ATL publications despatch line on …show more content…
The research began early in 2002, two years after the Foundation Stage was introduced. We knew implementation had not been easy, but we hoped for signs that the Government’s aspirations were beginning to be met. We sought indications that the introduction of the foundation stage was enabling the profession to argue more strongly for the play-based, principled early years provision that best suits children. We wanted to see that a reflective and knowledgeable teaching profession was beginning to feel trusted and supported by Government, their school leadership, LEAs and early years partnerships (EYDCPs) and that practitioners were feeling more confident to move away from a formal approach towards good early years practice in reception classes. We hoped this report would be a celebration and a sharing of good early years practice. Sadly, the research shows that this is not yet the case. ATL believes that many reception teachers feel unable to provide the kind of curriculum which their professional expertise tells them is right for young children. Government pressure on children to perform