Dear Friends,
I have a daughter who is due to start school in September. We would probably have homeschooled, but circumstances haven't allowed for this. We have disabililities in the family and at present we need the back up and continuity of being able to take our child to a school.

Daughter is well, happy and learning. However we have learned more about the learning elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage programme (which children will be 'subjected' to until the age of five). After spending some time with the materials of the Open Eye campaign and my own research, my belief is that it is quite clearly morally wrong. Basically, the research does not appear to be there to support it and the introduction of it in British schools appears to lead back to political expediency (and profit?).

If any friend are interested in a short and dramatic introduction to this, please spend a few minutes watching the excellent Open Eye film on one of my blogs - which I founded specially to chart our progress. See this link: www.parentsguidetoeyfs.wordpress.com

Obviously I will not be invading on my child's privacy, but these issues seem fundamental to many things in society.At the present time then, we are preparing to ask for an 'exemption' from the learning goals elements of this for our child. In the interview with the headmistress to discuss the exemption I plan to say that I am a Quaker, and explain my moral and religious objections to the learning goals element of the EYFS. As far as I am aware, no one has ever done this before.

There is a lot more to say about this, and much more than is possible in a first posting here. I feel that what is happening with the learning goals element of EYFS it is of great relevance to all friends interested in education.

If you have a few moments, please take time to visit the blog, like all blogs, it is an organic entity, and I'll be adding to it, also, I would really appreciate your comments, here and on the blog - there are a lot of dedicated early years practitioners campaigning very hard just now to get the system changed and make the learning goals a recommendation instead of a statutory requirement. Amongst other things there has been a petition to parliament with 10,000 signatures. Making an encouraging comment on this blog will help the dialogue, and encourage others - so if you can do take the time. I'm working only three days a week just now so can't write every day but will get back to anyone who comments as soon as I can.
In Friendship
Frances Laing