News

Ofsted chief calls on nurseries to help close the 'word gap'

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman is telling childcare practitioners to read 'time-honoured classics' to children to help solve the problem of four-year-olds starting school unable to communicate.

Speaking today at the Pre-school Learning Alliance’s annual conference in London, Ms Spielman will stress the importance of nurseries and childminders investing time early on reading aloud, singing, reciting nursery rhymes or just talking to children as much as possible.

According to Ms Spielman, some children at age four have less than a third of the English vocabulary of their peers, adding that this is not just the case for children who don't have English as a second language.

'Unlucky children’ don't have nursery rhymes, ABCs and settling down for a bedtime story as part their daily routine, she says. She suggests these children need more structured learning to replace what they don’t get at home.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here