Editor's view

The new report for Sure Start on children's transition from the Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1, carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research, will provide welcome ammunition for those in favour of extending play-based learning (News, page 8). If action were taken on the report's recommendations it would be good news for KS1 children, who can find the move to a more formal approach to learning difficult. Many are not ready to sit still listening to a teacher for long periods and need continued opportunities for active, independent learning. It would be wonderful, too, if teachers throughout...