Entitlement and provision for early year’s education
In the Every Child matters agenda and the Childcare Act 2006 all 3-4 year olds are entitled to receive a free part time early years education of up to 12.5 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. The government make sure local authorities have funding to ensure that every child receives up to two years free education before they reach school age, if parents are wanting additional hours more than what is allocated to them then they will have to fund the additional costs.
The early years provision in schools is about supporting very young children it is distinct from key stage 1 in each country within the UK, the concept is learning through play rather than formal education, studies have shown that learning through play is an important contribution for early years learning.
Early year’s curriculum framework throughout the UK
In English and Welsh schools the Foundation Curriculum runs from the ages 3 to 5 year olds, which means they are used in reception classes and in school nurseries. The early year’s foundation stage, which was introduced in September 2008, sets one standard framework for learning, development and care for all children from birth to the end of the reception year. Once in Year 1 teachers should continue to work to the principle of the EYFS (early year’s foundation stage) curriculum until the end of the autumn term in their class. In Scotland the curriculum is focused around the document Curriculum of Excellence. This document concerns the curriculum for 3-18 year olds. The curriculum for 3-4 year olds and the early primary phase (Primary 1) are presented as one level this means that in Scotland there is a distinction between the phases , children will only move onto Primary 1 when they are ready. In Scotland they have a strong emphasis on active and fun learning.
In Northern Ireland pupils in year’s 1 and 2 are in the foundation stage, key stage...