Reading matter
admin November 7th, 2007
Campaign Information & Items of note
Response from Government’s solicitors to letter before action - 22nd Oct 2008
Parent letter before action to DCSF contesting EYFS exemptions regulations - Oct 2008
Wynstones Solicitor’s letter replying to DCSF response - 28 Feb 2008
Wynstones Parents’ objections to individual exemptions - Updated 26 Feb 2008
DCSF’s response to Wynstones letter - 7 Feb 2008
Wynstones School’s letter to DCSF regarding changes to the exemption regulations - 10 Dec 2007
Legal FAQ - our evolving summary of the legal position regarding EYFS
Draft of our analysis of power to close schools failing to meet EYFS
Hansard Links - our links to sections of House of Commons and House of Lords discussions relating to EYFS
EYFS Frequently Asked Questions - Government document answering common questions, see especially Question 6.
Official reference materials relating to the law
EYFS Exemptions Regulations - setting out what schools can/can’t be exempted from, and how to go about it
Ministerial Assurance given by Beverley Hughes - given to Stroud MP David Drew
The Childcare Act 2006 - the bill made law in 2006 that states the "Duty to implement Early Years Foundation Stage". This is a direct link to page 4 that has the duty to implement, there are links to the other pages there.
Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage - the document the describes the learning goals and assessments required by law as a result of the Childcare Act 2006.
Explanatory Notes to Childcare Act 2006
The Early Years Foundation Stage (Learning and Development Requirements) Order 2007
Explanatory Memorandum to Children and Young Persons, England The Early Years Foundation Stage (Learning and Development Requirements) Order 2007 (with full Regulatory Impact Assessment)
EYFS Learning and Development Exemptions Consultation inviting comments on the proposals for exemption from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning and development requirements. (closed) - the consultation document showing the Government’s declaration that funding is dependent on EYFS compliance, exemptions will be time limited, and there will be no exemption from the assessment criteria. The summary includes information about the forthcoming exemption process.
EYFS Learning and Development Exemptions Consultation Response Form - MS Word document
Formal Response to the Early Years Foundation Stage Learning and Development Exemptions Consultation - DCSF’s response to the consultation (MS Word document)
The Childcare Bill 2005 - as presented to the House of Lords before amendments.
House of Commons Research Paper Bill 80 of 2005-2006 - Last section has important information relating to the Human Rights considerations.
The DfCSF Teachernet Website on EYFS
The Old law
The Education (National Curriculum) (Foundation Stage Early Learning Goals) (England) Order 2003
[link needed] Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage published by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (reference QCA/00/587)
Articles and viewpoints
Penelope Leach and Beverley Hughes interviewed on Woman’s Hour - BBC Radio 4 Weds 12th Dec 2007 (Audio)
More letter responses in The Times - 4th Dec 2007
More letter responses in The Times - 3rd Dec 2007
Letter responses to "Stealth curriculum" front page - The Times 1st Dec 2007
"Experts ‘blast’ distorted early learning plans" - The Guardian 30th Nov 2007
"Review urged on pre-school plans" - BBC News Online 30th Nov 2007
"A false start or a good one? That is the question" - The Times, 30th Nov 2007
"Stealth curriculum is ‘threat to all toddlers’" - The Times (front page) 30th Nov 2007 coverage for Open Eye campaign.
"Experts savage national curriculum for under-5s" - The Evening Standard 30th Nov 2007
"Let them use their imaginations for best result, pushy parents told" - The Times, 23 Nov 2007
"Under-sevens ‘too young to learn to read’" - The Guardian, 22 Nov 2007
"Put the fun back into first lessons, urge heads" - The Observer, 7 Oct 2007
Early schooling "misguided" - BBC Website article and also video
Five is too early to cross the sounds barrier - article by Sue Palmer on phonics being taught to five year olds (EYFS could mean this happening as young as four)
State schools ‘could learn from Steiner principles’ - The Guardian 2005
Studies and papers
THE QUALITY OF LEARNING: ASSESSMENT ALTERNATIVES FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION by Wynne Harlen of the University of Bristol as part of The Primary Review
The Woods Report / Steiner Schools in England Research Project - DfES funded independent study of Steiner Waldorf education in the UK (abstract only - full text must be ordered)
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