Editor's View - Is it worth waging war on the Government's refusal to change reception class ratios?

There were obviously many concerns raised by respondents to the EYFS consultation, particularly about the learning goals and assessment, but a significant number expressed worry about the 1:30 ratio in reception year. The Government, however, says that it does not propose to change the exisiting requirements.

Reception ratios have long been a contentious issue. As consultant Julie Cigman points out on the Nursery World LinkedIn discussion on this subject, how can we have truly observation-led teaching and provision, or support play and child-initiated learning under this system? And how can the key person approach possibly work effectively?

Sutton's intention to challenge the 30 class size limit, to provide much-needed extra places without expensive building programmes, raises the prospect of worse to come. And budget cuts mean that teaching assistant time is being reduced, which will also hit reception class provision.

However, as Helen Moylett argues on our LinkedIn group, it may be that the sector could waste a lot of time and energy fighting a battle it can't win on this - the economic arguments for the status quo are too compulsive and political will for change is absent. At least the reception year has ben preserved as part of the EYFS, and an ambiguous reference in the consultation about when formal learning should start has been amended. The sector may need to pick its fights!