Steiner settings opting out of EYFS early learning goals

Janni Nicol, early childhood representative for the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship, said, 'Unfortunately, we have had to apply for exemptions or modifications to some of the learning and development requirements which conflict with the Steiner Waldorf approach to formal introduction of literacy, numeracy and the requirement regarding electronic gadgetry and ICT.'

In some cases Steiner schools and kindergartens are also applying for exemptions to the assessment regulations requirement to submit EYFS Profile data.

Wynstones School in Gloucester submitted an application for exemption to some of the EYFS learning and development requirements to the QCA just before Easter. The school for children up to 18 has two kindergartens for three- to six-year-olds, which are funded by parents and do not receive local authority funding for the early years entitlement.

Trustee Dick Baker said, 'Certain elements of the EYFS are in conflict with the Steiner curriculum. The main areas we have asked for some exemptions from are the "reading and writing" and numeracy Early Learning Goals - for example, "write their own names", "read a range of familiar words" and "use their phonic knowledge to write simple regular words".

'When one hasn't started to learn to read and write (as a result of the educational philosophy), this doesn't really make sense. Similarly, we have asked for modifications where only part of a goal is in conflict with the Steiner approach. For example, our proposed modification to "explore and experiment with sounds, words and texts" is "explore and experiment with sounds and words", as we do not work with texts in the kindergarten.'

He said all the parents agreed to the exemption process, which started last November, and Gloucestershire local authority had been 'broadly supportive'.

He added, 'Overall, the process is onerous. We're part of a big school and we're able to draw on their administrative support, as well as the help of parent volunteers. If you were a small nursery it would be more difficult.'

The school is also applying to be exempt from the EYFS assessment process and from having to submit data from the EYFS Profile. Steiner has its own assessment process.

Ms Nicol added, 'In the main, some local authorities have been confused about whether they can continue to fund those settings who have applied for exemptions. Those that are in the process of applying for exemptions face receiving a lower judgement in their Ofsted inspection in those areas which they will not meet if they are inspected before their application is granted, as they are not operating within the EYFS.'