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Comments on the announcement regarding means testing for the NEF
Middle income families fend for themselves, not requiring housing and other benefits, why should these hard workers be discriminated against?
They have had to budget already for the years before their children start school. It is not fair that such short notice has been given.
Justin Donovan admitted than even if and when there is a nursery class in every school there will still not be enough places, so either the present lottery system will have to continue or middle income families will still be discriminated against.
Nursery education is not statutory – either they should provide for all or none.
How can they afford to make new nursery classes and employ more teachers but not pay for the NEF?
Money could maybe be better spent on the statutory education years, improving his maths and literacy figures' to match the UK. Though why we are following the UK is debatable - look at better provision in other countries – Finland?
Meeting with the private sector and press release strategically planned for just before Easter weekend/holidays - people on holiday/away – minimum impact?
Justin Donovan's remit seems to be to raise literacy/numeracy standards to meet UK - ??? his only interest. What about the whole child – wellbeing - multi- agency consultation. When tackled about care' as opposed to just education' he didn't answer my question.
When asked whether there is evidence that children who attend states nurseries are higher achievers than those from the private sector he did not give a reply but just indicated that the schools need the nursery teachers because of their early years expertise (what about reception teachers etc.???)
What was the point of all the work that has gone on to improve transition to school/communication with teachers during the past six years?
Has all the expense involved in setting up the NEF, admin, training, Quality Framework, moderation etc. in the past years been taken into the finances? We gave our time for free but, those employed by the Education Department had to be paid. What was that all for?
Why haven't parents, the private sector and other agencies been consulted? Why aren't we looking at the needs of families in the island who provide the work force.
It seems that today's parents and children need much wider support than previously. Toileting, speech, support with behavioural issues. Lower staff:child ratios are not conducive to this.
Teachers are obviously not willing to cover extended hours etc. as the private sector does
These children need continuity of care – what will happen to them out of school hours? They will have to be shipped from pillar to post (more illegal childcare too?).