Government vows to fight EYFS critics

The promise of a new push to win over the public was signalled at a conference held by the Pre-school Learning Alliance last week to mark the introduction of the curriculum this month.

Children's minister Beverley Hughes used her video address to the conference to attack critics of the EYFS. "I recall one press article projecting an image of nursery staff carrying clipboards around to assess children. It's complete nonsense," she said.

"The prominence given to a small number of critics belies the broad consensus of support. It's important, now the EYFS is here, that we explode those misconceptions, which spread uncertainty and concern among parents. The fact is the EYFS will represent business as usual for most early years settings."

Her call was echoed by Steve Alexander, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, who accused the press of sensationalising stories about the curriculum. "Parents face complex decisions when choosing childcare, without being exposed to ill-evidenced and sensational reporting on matters that may influence their choice."

He added that, after so much planning and training, the best way to prove the critics wrong would be with hard facts. "The promise now needs to be balanced with real success stories".

Liz Bayram, chief executive of the National Childminding Association, told the conference she believed the new framework would put childminders on a level playing field with other practitioners in the sector.

She said most childminders would not be making drastic changes to their work methods as they are already observing and reporting what they see to parents. Referring to the EYFS, Bayram added: "There's a lot that is worth celebrating."

The curriculum is intended to set standards for learning, development and care from birth to five and applies to all registered childminders, creches and nursery facilities.

During the run-up to its implementation, the national media and critics have accused the EYFS of being target-driven and prescriptive and claimed it would see childminders acting as quality control officers.