1. Right- I’m probably going to get trolled for not wanting the best for children, wanting them to fail and so on.... but I can’t stay quiet and I’m hoping someone out there will share my concerns about today’s announcement from the DFE around the investment in YrR catch up...
2. So this happened today. A £9m investment into a YrR catch up programme. Many on twitter seem to be welcoming this.
I have concerns....
gov.uk/government/new…
I have concerns....
gov.uk/government/new…
3. The deficit model is alive and well in this email I received today announcing the programme... and shows yet again the DFE do not understand that YrR is not full of 5 year olds.... 
4. So I decided to look into this programme which has the approval of EEF and here are some initial thoughts.
5. This programme requires children to go out in either groups of 5 or 1:1 for interventions. The last thing my children will need when they join reception is this....
6. Who runs these groups? Are the DFE funding extra staff? Of course not.
Our children will need every member of staff we have to interact with them in our setting- I can’t release them to take up to 5 children our to deliver scripted passive lessons.
Our children will need every member of staff we have to interact with them in our setting- I can’t release them to take up to 5 children our to deliver scripted passive lessons.
7. Then- if the programme being given to schools is the one advertised on OUP (who also sell RWI)- there’s the assessment materials to be completed- in a time where we are being told EYs reforms are about reducing workload.
8. Then there’s the resources. If you thought the baseline resources were cutting edge- you are in for a treat.
This poster is of huge concern and is a clear nod to the SLANT path we are being led down...
This poster is of huge concern and is a clear nod to the SLANT path we are being led down...
8. When I think about some of the most powerful interactions I have with my children they most definitely do not involve “sitting still” and “being quiet!”
9. And then there’s the lessons. Scripted. Prescribed. Not connected to unique children and their interests...
10. This is costing £9m. Baseline is costing £11. That’s £20m being directed at YrR alone- on these 2 products....
11. In the recent #Algorithms fiasco teachers were not trusted.
Today’s announcement of spending so much on this programme reiterates YrR teachers are not trusted either.
Imagine if instead of programmes we were given money to invest in what we know would help every child.
Today’s announcement of spending so much on this programme reiterates YrR teachers are not trusted either.
Imagine if instead of programmes we were given money to invest in what we know would help every child.
12. I know what makes the difference. I’ve been making a difference for 25yrs.
It’s attachment. It’s relationships. It’s play. It’s talk. It’s an environment that enables physically and emotionally.
There’s not a programme for that. It’s about time we were trusted...
It’s attachment. It’s relationships. It’s play. It’s talk. It’s an environment that enables physically and emotionally.
There’s not a programme for that. It’s about time we were trusted...
13. We know what children need and it’s not to be removed from a new class, given some picture cards and have a puppet waved in their face...
14. And today’s announcement is based on one model and one model only. The deficit model. A model where we are told children’s development is at risk and they are falling behind unless we boost them.
It’s a dangerous, disrespectful model and one we must not get pulled into...
It’s a dangerous, disrespectful model and one we must not get pulled into...
15. Know I’m rambling. But your children don’t need a programme. They don’t need to be “caught up” or “boosted”.
They just need you. You. In the room. In the garden. Not in a cupboard at a desk.
That’s all. Good night.
They just need you. You. In the room. In the garden. Not in a cupboard at a desk.
That’s all. Good night.
16. Blown away by response to this thread- so empowering to know I’m not alone! Been thinking about this more today as I cleared out the Reception shed and dodged spiders...
17. These types of interventions normally require all children to be assessed using some sort of diagnostic tool so that the “lowest” “children most at risk” are identified....
18. This raises yet more issues. For those poor souls having to do the baseline in September- they will then have to take children out again for this assessment. It will take up weeks of precious transition time....
19. And who will end up in the “intervention” group after the “testing”??? Probably those children who made the error of being born in the summer.... or those who have SEN or are learning more than one language.
I've written a blog and need a good title. Any ideas?
Anyone else stand with @AdrianBethune ? I know I do...
Time to stop weighing the pig- it just makes the pig angry!
Time to stop weighing the pig- it just makes the pig angry!
