Nursery World - Let boys and girls come out to play

How refreshing to read the news story 'Play on, Year One pupils told' (20 February). As an early years practitioner who runs a pre-school, I am constantly concerned about the pressures of formal learning that our young children face. Some have begun school at just the age of four years and five months, which I feel is way too early for them. I do not understand why we cannot learn from other European countries whose children begin formal education at six or seven.

As an early years practitioner who runs a pre-school, I am constantly concerned about the pressures of formal learning that our young children face. Some have begun school at just the age of four years and five months, which I feel is way too early for them. I do not understand why we cannot learn from other European countries whose children begin formal education at six or seven.

It is brilliant to hear that schools like the one in Dudley, West Midlands, are now standing up for the children and recognising that play-based methods of teaching are better for young children. Hopefully more schools will follow this excellent example so that children can have their childhoods back and enjoy their time at school.

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