Teachers back early curriculum

Some of our newspapers and children's authors have been making a huge fuss about the the early years - or foundation stage - curriculum. But a poll in today's TES shows that teachers back it, with 88% of 1480 teachers polled supporting it in principle, and 64% believing it will improve the overall experience of children in the early years, against 18% believing it won't. Remarkably, many teachers even believe it will mean more time playing outside with no change to the time spent on reading and writing. This is a huge boost for children's minister Beverley Hughes, who has doggedly defended the curriculum in recent years. And a sharp rebuke to those critics who would prefer to limit a decent early years education to those who get it in supportive home environments.