Question 1a
Know the structure of education from early years to post-compulsory education.
Summarise entitlement and provision for early years education
Education system in the UK
Across the UK there are five stages of education: early years, primary, secondary, Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE). Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 17. FE is not compulsory and covers non-advanced education which can be taken at further (including tertiary) education colleges and HE institutions (HEIs). The fifth stage, HE, is study beyond GCE A levels and their equivalent which, for most full-time students, takes place in universities and other HEIs and colleges. Early Years Education in England since September 2010, all three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free nursery education for 38 weeks of the year.
The early years of a child’s life provide the foundations for future development and achievement. The quality of experiences in those early years is critical to how well children will be able to fulfil their lifelong potential.
The free early education can be provided at:
Nursery schools, which are often attached to schools and are open all day during term time.
Nursery classes are usually attached to a primary school. Nursery classes and schools (not to be confused with day nurseries) take children aged 3 and 4 years old, usually for the year before they start the first school year. Both types intend to provide grounding for the child to start school, offering a range of structured educational experiences based on learning through play.
Day nurseries, which usually provide child care all day. They can be run by a local authority, privately or by work place.
Children’s centres services, that can include drop-ins, childcare, nursery provision and support.
Some playgroups and pre-schools, which usually provide educational play sessions of about 3 hours a day for children aged 2-5 years old....