Category Archives: EYFS

Wagging the Dog

Posted on January 8, 2020 by suecowley

In 1992, the same year that I started my teaching degree, a new organisation was established to inspect standards in education. The national inspectorate known as Ofsted replaced the previous system of inspections, which were carried out by HMIs within … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Bold Beginnings, Children, EYFS, Ofsted | 2 Comments

A Child Called It

Posted on January 15, 2019 by suecowley

Just before Christmas, Ofsted published a suite of materials on curriculum, ahead of the consultation on their new Inspection Framework. One of the videos is  on ‘Early Reading’ and it features Ofsted’s Regional Director for the South West – Bradley … Continue reading →

Posted in EYFS | 3 Comments

The Medium and the Message

Posted on January 11, 2019 by suecowley

Just before Christmas, Ofsted published a series of short videos on YouTube about their proposed new Education Inspection Framework, with specific reference to the focus they are going to be putting on Curriculum in future inspections. The Framework is going … Continue reading →

Posted in Bold Beginnings, EYFS, Ofsted | 1 Comment

In Partnership

Posted on December 2, 2018 by suecowley

One of the key elements of being in EYFS is that we work in partnership with our parents and families. This phase is about the care, learning and development of the children who attend our settings. Small children have many … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, EYFS | Leave a comment

Expected Standard

Posted on June 24, 2018 by suecowley

I’m not Expected Standard There’s lots I do not know The Government checked my learning And decided it was low. The grown ups think I’m stupid They think I do not see That some kids find school easier And learning … Continue reading →

Posted in ELGs, EYFS | 1 Comment

The Firmest Foundations

Posted on April 27, 2018 by suecowley

“No sitting at desks, we are too busy playing No testing or labelling, hear what we’re saying Be brave and be bold, make the firmest foundations Build a garden! Take pride in the joy of creation.” There is something magical … Continue reading →

Posted in EYFS, Firm Foundations, Group Work | Leave a comment

If You Build It

Posted on April 21, 2018 by suecowley

I wanted to share a short story with you It may sound unreal but I promise it’s true So here is my poem on how the outdoors Can become an inspiring unstoppable force. It was ten years ago I became … Continue reading →

Posted in EYFS, Firm Foundations | 1 Comment

Life in the Sandpit

Posted on January 17, 2018 by suecowley

If you spend any length of time working in the early years sector, you start to get the feeling that you are not seen to be quite as intellectual or rational as those working in other phases. This doesn’t come … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseline, Bold Beginnings, Children, EYFS, Play | 10 Comments

The Core

Posted on November 30, 2017 by suecowley

I’ve been thinking all day about what is at the core of the Reception year, ever since I woke up this morning and read in an Ofsted report that they think that the core of Reception is reading. Lots of … Continue reading →

Posted in EYFS | 3 Comments

Saving the Children

Posted on November 1, 2016 by suecowley

Today, the charity Save the Children published a report entitled “Untapped Potential” about children’s outcomes in early years settings, and the qualification levels of early years staff, focusing particularly on private, voluntary and independent (PVI) settings. While I wouldn’t disagree … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Early Years, EYFS, Preschools | 11 Comments