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Early years experts call for incorrect information on DfE funded website to be amended

Early years experts are calling for Oak National Academy, which provides online teaching resources and is partially funded by the DfE, to update its website to accurately reflect the EYFS areas of learning.
Oak National Academy's website currently features incorrect information about the EYFS which early years experts say could confuse teachers and parents
Oak National Academy's website currently features incorrect information about the EYFS which early years experts say could confuse teachers and parents

Currently, under the EYFS section of the Oak National Academy website it lists an incorrect set of ‘subjects’ – literacy, maths, music, RSHE (PSHE) and understanding the world.

Sue Cowley, Ruth Swailes, and Dr Sue Allingham jointly told Nursery World they have repeatedly asked Oak National Academy to update the list so it accurately reflects the seven areas of learning in the EYFS, but they have failed to make any changes.

When Nursery World contacted Oak National Academy for a response it said due to 'technical reasons' with the 'platform design' it cannot easily change 'categories and terms' on its website. It also said it is now 'reaching out' to early years experts to support it to 'update its product.'

Early years consultant and school improvement advisor Ruth Swailes said, ‘While I understand that Oak was set up during the pandemic in a hurry, along with several other early years colleagues I pointed out that the website doesn't display the statutory areas of learning, back in June 2020. I offered to help with content, offering Oak free use of materials I produced during lockdown which meet the statutory requirements.

‘Now Oak is funded by the DFE, more than two years after we initially asked for the changes to be made, the website still doesn't reflect the statutory curriculum, despite having this pointed out politely on several occasions. I feel this is particularly important as the website may give parents and teachers the impression that EYFS is the same as key stage one, which is not the case and may lead to people focussing on the wrong things at this crucial stage in a child's development. The important prime areas and characteristics of effective learning are not mentioned on the website, despite being part of the statutory curriculum.

‘It is essential that the website reflects the statutory curriculum as it should be taught in schools.’

Author and teacher, Sue Cowley said, ‘It is not okay for a DfE funded website to list an incorrect set of “subjects” for the EYFS, despite many requests for this to be corrected. The areas of learning are set out in the EYFS Statutory Framework, and the Oak National website should reflect this. Otherwise, this has the potential to cause confusion about the legal requirements for both parents/carers and practitioners.’

Consultant and trainer Dr Sue Allingham added,The inaccuracy was picked up right at the beginning and, despite some effort from me and some of the original teachers, it was clear that our thinking was falling on deaf ears.’

A spokesperson for Oak National Academy said, 'Oak National Academy was initially created in the pandemic and given the challenge of the time we weren’t able to create a full EYFS offer covering all seven areas of learning. However, we wanted to offer some help, particularly to parents. Considering this limited focus, we used terms we hoped would be accessible to parents.

'This month we’ve moved to become an independent public body, so we’re now working on updating our product. We understand the need to reflect the distinct nature of EYFS so, as part of that work, we will make a number of improvements to reflect this in a coherent way across the platform. We hope to make it clearer to teachers where our lessons map to the EYFS framework. We are reaching out to EYFS experts to support us in this process.'