Policy and Politics
MPs call for changes to the Code of Practice and phonics test
Three new Early Day Motions have been put forward by MPs focusing on early years issues.
Zac Goldsmith, Conservative MP for Richmond Park (pictured), is backing the Save Our Nurseries campaign. He says the Code of Practice for the free entitlement and the Early Years Single Funding Formula are threatening the sustainability of private and voluntary providers, forcing them to opt out or close.
His EDM asks for the Government to revise the current Code to allow providers to continue to charge top-up fees.
Mr Goldsmith has also launched a second EDM on the importance of continued recognition for Montessori qualifications (News, page 6).
Meanwhile, a separate EDM co-sponsored by Annette Brooke, Barry Sheerman and Caroline Lucas is calling for a rethink on the introduction of a phonics-based reading test at the age of six. It says that focusing on phonics exclusively can limit children's reading experience and their understanding of what they are reading.
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