New threat seen to curriculum

Prominent academics in the early years field have expressed fears that a Government consultation on extending the national curriculum in England to include the Foundation Stage could have an unintended detrimental effect on children. The warning came last week from a group of specialists including early years consultant Jean Ensing, Dr Gillian Pugh, chief executive of Coram Family, Tina Bruce, visiting professor London Metropolitan University, Sue Griffin, training manager of the National Childminding Association, Dr Tony Bertram and Professor Chris Pascal, co-directors of the Centre for Research in Early Childhood at University College Worcester, and Kathy Sylva, professor of educational...