It is also believed that political pressure to put measures such as those on phonics proposed by the Rose review in the Early Years Foundation Stage (see p6) has contributed to Ms Staggs' decision. One early years expert told Nursery World, 'She can't do the job she was appointed to do.'
The national director's post was advertised in the Times Educational Supplement on 9 December. The closing date for applications is 20 January and the salary is up to 80,000.
A spokesperson from Capita, which has the National Strategies contract, confirmed that Ms Staggs would leave in February.
The appointment of Ms Staggs to the newly-created role of Foundation Stage director in October 2003 was warmly welcomed by the early years sector. In April last year a group of 12 early years experts were appointed as regional Foundation Stage directors reporting directly to her.
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