Piece of news

Sir Michael Wilshaw, the head of Ofsted, is to call for a radical shakeup in early-years education, saying that more nursery places should be funded within schools to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Speaking at the launch of Ofsted's first report on early-years education provision, Wilshaw will say that too many children lack basic language and counting skills when they start school, and so find it difficult to catch up. The report – to be published on Thursday – will show the continuing gap between outcomes for children from disadvantaged background and those from more affluent ones, even before the age of five. "Too many of our poorest children are getting an unsure start because the early-years system is letting them down," Wilshaw will say. "What children facing serious disadvantage need is high-quality, early education from the age of two delivered by skilled practitioners with degrees in a setting that parents can recognise and access easily. These already exist. They are called schools." According to Ofsted, only a third of children from low income backgrounds reach what is considered a good level of development at the early-years stage. Holly Warren of Save the Children said: "Ofsted is right to sound a warning about the quality of childcare and early education. "If we are to boost social mobility there is little point of expanding childcare without much more action to improve its quality." A Department for Education spokesman said high-quality school nurseries enabled children who are behind to catch up with their peers before starting school. "We have been clear that we want to ensure more flexible, affordable and high quality provision is available for parents," the DfE said. MY OPINION: I think I feel good that the first lesson is favorable, and the same for everyone because there are many children that do not have the money to pay perhaps a better education, get a minimum education, the most "important" and may not delve into these issues and only get a glimpse on the issues. "We have already made great strides in early year's provision with the introduction of the new early year's pupil premium, strengthened early-years qualifications and encouraging schools to open from 8am to 6pm."