5,000 signatures reached
To: Department for Education
Halt the EYFS review until a panel with true EYs experts only is convened
Put the review of the early learning goals on hold. Remove those advising on it who have large scale commercial interests and who do not have proven expertise and knowledge regarding the education of children aged 5 & under. Provide criteria for selecting advisers based on their background and knowledge of best EYs practice linked to international longitudinal research in this area. Only restart the review of ELGs when a suitable group of advisers are in place. Then start by consulting fully amongst the EYs sector and use the results of that consultation and expertise to form draft goals
Why is this important?
What and how young children learn is of utmost importance to their life chances. Young children learn best from meaningful, first hand experiences, in which play is a central feature. The ELGs should reflect this. The group of people currently advising DfE includes people who have very rigid views on how and what young children should learn which are not in line with intetnational longitudinal research. If these people influence what our young children learn, there is a chance we could end up with an overly formal, inappropriate curriculum for young children which could impact negatively on their attitudes to school, learning, mental health and future outcomes.
