Last week OFSTED published their "Bold Beginnings" report based on what they saw in around 40 schools reception classes. This report has not had the positive reaction OFSTED may have been hoping for and instead it has faced widespread criticism from not only practitioners, but Early Years Organisations, unions, leaders, academics, researchers, parents and carers. This report clearly leans towards pushing more formality into our reception classes with a focus on maths and literacy and notions of the gap between EYFS and Yr1 expectation. Yet again the powers that be seem unable to grasp that maybe, just maybe the problem lies squarely with a flawed, inappropriate National Curriculum. Instead of moving up what works from EYs into our KS1 classes...the push seems to be yet again, pushing down from KS1 into EYs. Research the world over tells us this is NOT the way to go and yet it is exactly what seems to be happening here in England. Have a read and see what you think... https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reception-curriculum-in-good-and-outstanding-primary-schools-bold-beginnings