We already have a huge issue with inspectors understanding the playful learning approach in the EYFS. The EYFS review recommends that the EYFS is not be be inspected or judged upon separately which is a direct conflict between the reviews recommendations for playful learning and the primary curriculum review and consultation which is currently underway.
The new primary curriculum, it is rumoured will be based on a chalk and talk approach to the teaching of facts and rote learning with a return to the majority of teaching to be heavily directed.
I am gravely concerned that in the current climate, OFSTED will not invest in building their capacity to train and recruit EYFS specialists as inspectors. It will take highly skilled people to translate and correlate between the teaching and learning requirements of the very youngest children to the primary curriculum.
Schools will need to prepare for the future by investing in training and support for their staff in order to empower them in delivering a playful learning in a way that makes it obvious to those who judge them.
The two issues that I am currently concerned with are firstly, we do have EYFS staff who are struggling with delivering quality learning through play. Focused, adult directed group work is often of better quality but breaks down when children enter periods of continuous and enhanced provision. Schools will have to be absolutely clear about what they are providing and supporting in terms of playful learning. For many teams this is a huge challenge - even ensuring that every adult has the same understanding and vision of learning through play and what it should look like is a struggle for some.
Secondly, the inspectors themselves will have to be qualified to judge playful learning and understand what it is and what it looks like.
On so many occasions, people judging the EYFS do not understand the nature of early learning and important aspects of child development. For example, many have commented during nursery inspections that children are playing alone and not interacting well with their peers. We should not have to explain to those who judge us that solitary play is part of the play continuum - spectrum if you like. I understand fully that practitioners should be encouraging children to playfully learn alongside each other but it is equally important to recognise that for some children, this is simply the stage in which they are at.
We are about to enter a very turbulent time in education at all levels - and we will need a very strong army of knowledgeable, confident, articulate and empowered professionals to protect the values of playful learning. Standing up to be counted is not an option - it is a necessity.
http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/1063915/Inspections-judge-EYFS-whole-school/
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