More three-year-olds in infant classes

June 1, 2004 in Children

The number of three year olds in infant classes in primary
schools has doubled in the past two years, according to official
figures.

There were 3,400 three year old children in infant classes in
primary schools in 2004, compared to 1600 in 2002, according to
DfES statistics.

Two weeks ago (May 19) Ofsted warned that some schools were
insisting children start school earlier in order that reception
class teachers had enough time to complete the new reception class
profiles. Ofsted has called on the government to “clarify the
purpose” of the profile, which many reception class teachers
see as less useful than assessment tools they were already
using.

The DfES statistics on early education also show that the
proportion of children in public sector nursery classes and schools
has remained steady although the number has fallen for the fourth
year running.

More than half (52 per cent) of three year olds are using
government-funded places in private or voluntary establishments
compared to 38 per cent in public sector nurseries.

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000464/index.shtml

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=pubs.summary&id=3655