Opinion: Letters

I read with interest Professor Peter Moss's article 'Five steps to better provision' (Analysis, 4 February), which referred to early childhood education and care (ECEC) in the Nordic countries. I have personal experience of the Danish system and wanted to add the following with regard to the points raised.

The status of a Danish pedagogue is much higher than that of the UK early years practitioner because pedagogues have dedicated three-and-a-half years to completing a complex social pedagogue training at university (including two six-month paid placements). The course is focused, relevant and intense, and pedagogues are respected in their field of expertise and paid accordingly.

In a room of nine under-threes, for example, the Danish pedagogue is supported by an assistant and another pedagogue. Paperwork is minimal compared with the UK since, as with teaching, there is an understanding that a degree-level qualification ensures that you are professional in your judgements, and capable of doing the job.

There is no expectation that you will do x number of observations a week, or link this to a statutory child development map. Planning is based around children's and seasonal interests. Pedagogues are entitled to four hours per week out of ratio for planning, meetings, parent consultations, etc (negotiated by their union!).

Teachers and pedagogues have separate remits. Teachers are school-based, pedagogues crecheand nursery-based. We have confused this in the UK, resulting in school nursery and reception classes being run by teachers, who are often uncomfortable with the EYFS, where child-initiated learning and continuous provision are key factors in a successful learning environment. Changing the age at which formal classroom-based learning starts to at least six would avoid this inappropriate use of teachers in early years settings.

The Danish tax burden is high (around 42 per cent), and additionally parents will typically pay a top-up fee to their child's creche or kindergarten of £150 to £300 per month (depending on the child's age). Society, therefore, pays for the greater part of childcare costs, with parents contributing extra when using the service.

PVI settings exist in Denmark, but rules are stricter and they have to abide by wage agreements and working-time regulations, as in the state sector. Despite UK local authority input to improve provision, PVI settings will naturally focus on profit, often compromising quality. Who sets up a business to just break even?

Additionally, the lack of purpose-built premises results in poor-quality environments (as offered by pack-away settings in church and community halls), with practitioners struggling to achieve EYFS standards despite the dedication of staff and parents.

How serious are we here in the UK in getting the balance right?

Name and address supplied

- LETTER OF THE WEEK WINS POUNDS 30 WORTH OF BOOKS

LET BOYS GET AHEAD

I was disappointed by 'Writing drive targets boys' (News, 7 January). In 34 years of working with young children, I have often noticed that boys seems less interested than girls in mark-making at the ages of thee and four. However, they also seem more interested in using their whole bodies to explore movement. At around the age of five, many boys 'explode' with writing and drawings that are often complex and fully formed.

My point is that while children's developmental paths may vary, they are more likely to fulfil their individual potentials if they are not 'driven' and 'targeted'.

How much longer are women (in Government and in the field) going to judge boys as lacking purely because they develop differently to most girls (and women)? I expressed my view at a recent Pen Green Research Centre conference to cheers from the audience, so I'm not the only experienced early years educator holding this view.

Let's make early childhood education better for young children, especially boys, by feeding their interests and watching the results. Then we can stop worrying about boys 'lagging' behind, because they'll be forging ahead.

Dr Cath Arnold, early years consultant

Send your letters to...

The Editor, Nursery World, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP

letter.nw@haymarket.com; 020 8267 8401

Share: