Just two months after the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage comes the shock news that EYFS national director Ruth Pimentel is quitting the post. At the time of going to press, the reasons for her departure were not clear, but the move immediately raised fears in the early years sector over whether the right replacement will be found.
The job specification calls for many skills and qualities, but experts in the sector stress that the new director must above all have a comprehensive background in early years and a thorough knowledge of how young children develop and learn. A narrow focus on policy just will not do.
This is a role with many pressures and much to fight for. In September 2003, Nursery World reported the delight at Lesley Staggs' appointment to lead the Foundation Stage, but warned of the downward pressure from Key Stage 1 and the literacy and numeracy strategies. By the end of 2005, Ms Staggs had resigned amid rumours that she was unhappy with a restructure that removed autonomy and with the imposition of synthetic phonics following the Rose Review. The sector applauded her staunch defence of young children's interests.
The job is no easier these days, although much of what is enshrined in the EYFS framework is laudable. Synthetic phonics is there, along with the controversial literacy goals that many feel are setting young children up to fail. There are EYFS Profile targets for local authorities, and the long-running Open Eye campaign to deal with.
There's a hefty salary package to compensate, however - if you fancy the job, you'll find the ad on page 32!