Graduates In Nurseries

[cassa333]

Have such a tiny impact that it doesn't seem necessary.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-38956554

I work in an infant school (only lunch times though) and from what I see daily has led me to believe that nursery years should be more about socialisation, fine motor skills and getting ready to learn rather than learning and assesing them. Skills such as taking turns, sitting quietly, listening, sharing and working with others are needed. All these things set them up for the hard task of constructive learning when they hit education proper.

But I'm only a lunch time leader. What do I know about education and learning.

[bednobs]

indeed

[murraymints]

agree they should be encouraged to iteract and play team games etc..lots of craft work and chat about things dear to them Not be in a kiddie prison to behave and sit quitly

[murraymints]

learning to share is very important too

[Gromit]

At what age should they be beaten with sticks if it wasn't for Liberal do-gooders intervening?

[murraymints]

oh about 3 I think !!

[Cloverjo]

Yes, when my son was in reception class I was a helper. I could see that there were some children who just weren't ready to sit down and practice writing and counting. I still remember - 20 years later - a particular boy who would have been much better off running around or playing in the sand pit.

They don't need graduates teaching in nurseries, just people who love children and are caring.

[fiction-factory]

>when my son was in reception class I was a helper. I could see that there were some children who just weren't ready to sit down and practice writing and counting.

In my experience one in ten still who still can't manage it when they are teenagers

[fiction-factory]

>when my son was in reception class I was a helper. I could see that there were some children who just weren't ready to sit down and practice writing and counting.

In my experience, one in ten still still can't manage it when they are teenagers.

[fiction-factory]

oops- not sure why it submitted while I was typing

[B00]

From what ive read- they're also having to toilet train nursery children as well as teach them the basics including how to hold a knife and fork!

[hc4361]

I believe that formal education should not start until the child is 7, as happens in other countries such as Sweden.

By that age they will have finer motor skills, better social skills and comprehension. They will soon catch up with children who started at 4 or 5.

[cassa333]

I utterly lament the fact children don't know how to use a knife and fork. Stabbing food uncut with a fork while their elbow rests on the table then chewing a chunk off.

Some of them are good at it and some are fantastic tryers and get there in the end but those that don't get any/much support at home are still doing it in yr 2.

They are not being taught or helped in basics.

[hc4361]

Telling the time, tying shoelaces, using scissors seems beyond many 7 year olds

[Deskdiary]

I had no idea there were graduates working in nurseries, and now that I do, I'm astonished.

My two kids went to a good nursery, but as good as it was, the nursery workers were little more than glorified babysitters.

They were very nice people, and appeared to be very good at their jobs but I would bet my left arm not one of them had a degree, let alone a degree in finger painting.

[Muntin]

I agree with all the comments here. Treat them like the young children they are, encourage them with language and play.

[bednobs]

B00, whats wrong with teaching nursery children toilet training and holding a knife and fork?

[ummmm]

If it's a school nursery I don't think they start until the year before reception so should be trained I suppose.

[jourdain2]

I'm Secondary trained, but have worked top-end Juniors. Friends of mine were, however, Infant school teachers. The tales they gave me of children unable to dress themselves, even toilet themselves, were horrendous. This sort of level does not require a Graduate Level qualification - any sensible mum or dad could cope.

I don't think that most teaching requires a degree. My generation did 3 yrs. training and received a Teaching Certificate from the local University. We were competent, practical, intelligent teachers. If one wished one could do a 4th year at the university for a degree in Education. Subject specialism courses ensured enough knowledge to teach up to and including 'A'level (in the case of Secondary Teachers) - I assume up to the old 11+ standard for Junior trained..

Probably sounds rubbish to today's fixated-on-degrees generation - but these were the people who got you to your degree...think on!

[Canary42]

"More Nursery Graduates = Improved Literacy/Numeracy" is just another Politicians' Kneejerk solution which bears no relation to Fact.

Why they can't leave such specialist areas as Education, Health, Transport, etc to the Experienced Experts is beyond me. But no, along they come poking their unqualified inexperienced arrogant fingers into it (often heavily influenced by ideological burdens), and the result is CHAOS. We see it happening time and time again.

[bednobs]

then surely it's a good idea to ge