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Early years education matters – one teacher on what she’s learned

3-year-old girl, Ashwaq, learns through play with her early years teacher
Ashwaq, 3, with teacher Becky at a nursery in Manchester

Tammy Allen is Head of Early Years and a reception teacher at a school in South London where she’s worked for almost 15 years.

Fall behind: stay behind

I’ve been at this school for nearly 15 years, teaching children in nursery and reception.

It’s not unusual for children to arrive at nursery or school developmentally behind. Some arrive with little or no language – they can’t even explain what they need or how they feel.

But what I’ve really noticed is that as they get older, even at 10 or 11 – those who fell behind at the beginning, are still behind later in life.

That’s why we’ve got to give children the support they need when they’re under five, or under even three. The earlier the better!

Life-changing consequences

It’s not just academic success that can be affected by early years education – it’s self-esteem and behaviour too.

If children aren’t prepared for school, if they think they’re no good or that they can’t do things that are expected of them, it can reduce their self-esteem.

This can have a real impact on their learning. Lots of research shows that children who struggle at the start of school are much more likely to struggle throughout school. Some of them will rebel and have behavioural issues.

Why qualifications count

The staff working in nurseries are vital for helping children in their early years.

Most nurseries rated good or outstanding have a graduate with training in their early years’ classes.

They bring a different way of teaching, with a well-thought-out environment. Everything is in reach so children can take control of their learning.

We don’t have that in all nurseries because the funding isn’t there. Just when there’s this crucial window of opportunity, the education of children isn’t being put first.

Supporting parents

I’ve also found that the children who catch up are the ones where parents are totally on board.

But parents don’t always know how best support their children’s early development. I remember one parent saying to me: “They can’t talk so I didn’t know I should speak to them.”

That’s why they need our support.

I help parents by giving them phonics planning, Play-Doh, scissors – things they can do at home. Other parents come in and read with their children. We also run workshops for parents and put them on our blog.

We need to find more ways of helping parents understand how important early years are. Because even by the age of one you may have changed your child’s life – and that’s scary.

Every second matters

We need to get the message out that every single opportunity for learning needs to be taken and enhanced.

We can’t lose a second.

It’s vitally important that when children arrive at school, they’re ready to learn and move on.

Email your MP now to ask them to invest in nurseries – so every nursery can have a qualified early years teacher.

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