In most of Europe, no child is regarded as 'ready for school' - in other words, ready for formal teaching and learning - until they are at least six years of age. Within England, however, in its attempts to 'raise standards,' the Government has introduced formal curricula at ever-earlier points in school and, within its recent publication of curriculum frameworks and related guidance, has prescribed that children should be 'made ready' for school by the age of five.
Such an approach runs counter to that in many other European countries and raises questions about the purpose and suitability of these curricula - and about how best we can offer teaching and learning to the youngest members of our society.
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