In brief...

Protecting the Foundation Stage from 'top down' pressure is the aim of a petition signed by more than 2,500 people, including senior managers, primary headteachers and nursery nurses across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The petition, which was launched by early years consultant Margaret Edgington several months ago, has also been brought to the attention of the House of Commons by Mrs Edgington's local MP, Liberal Democrat Bob Russell. He said, 'The petitioners are concerned that some practitioners are being hindered in their attempts to implement the principles of the Foundation Stage.