Early Years Education was one of the biggest priorities that New Labour set out to achieve. At the end of New Labour’s time in office, it was stated that an ‘additional 2.3 billion was spent on Early Years Education; more than double in comparison to 1998’ (Stewart, 2013, pp. 10-12). New Labour also implemented free part time nursery in 1998 to all three to four years old, ‘76% of children from disadvantaged backgrounds took up the places’ (Lupton and Obolenskaya 2013, p. 23). Some early years’ providers argue that funding is insufficient; so resources may be limited (Waldfogel and Garnham, 2008 pp. 4-6). New Labour should ensure that free part time nursery can be used anywhere; to minimise inequality.
Sure start centres increased; these services …show more content…
However, ‘authorities and head teachers suggested that children should meet these targets by 2002’ (Roehampton and the National Education Policy Course Team, 2000, p. 70).
The literacy strategy called the literacy hour became a universal element of the school day, which provided a minute by minute outline of the literacy hour in schools (BBC News, 2009). Children would complete a range of activities, to ensure children had a good knowledge of literacy. However, teachers criticise the literacy hour as it goes too fast and if children haven’t grasped some of the concepts, teachers have to do catch up sessions; which is hard to fit into the school day (BBC News, 2009).
It is suggested that the literacy hour has had an impact on literacy attainment. By ‘2002, the percentage of children achieving level four or above has risen to 75%, further analysis noted that between 1996 and 2002, boys’ attainment improved, rising to 21%, in comparison to girls who only rose by 15%; this shows the attainment gap getting narrower’ (Heath et al., 2014, p. 6). Critics criticize the literacy hour for being too structured and it doesn’t suit every teachers learning style. Although, it does enable teachers to set outcomes and help to promote all aspects on the literacy syllabus (Machin and McNally, 2004, pp. 6 -
Sure start centres increased; these services …show more content…
However, ‘authorities and head teachers suggested that children should meet these targets by 2002’ (Roehampton and the National Education Policy Course Team, 2000, p. 70).
The literacy strategy called the literacy hour became a universal element of the school day, which provided a minute by minute outline of the literacy hour in schools (BBC News, 2009). Children would complete a range of activities, to ensure children had a good knowledge of literacy. However, teachers criticise the literacy hour as it goes too fast and if children haven’t grasped some of the concepts, teachers have to do catch up sessions; which is hard to fit into the school day (BBC News, 2009).
It is suggested that the literacy hour has had an impact on literacy attainment. By ‘2002, the percentage of children achieving level four or above has risen to 75%, further analysis noted that between 1996 and 2002, boys’ attainment improved, rising to 21%, in comparison to girls who only rose by 15%; this shows the attainment gap getting narrower’ (Heath et al., 2014, p. 6). Critics criticize the literacy hour for being too structured and it doesn’t suit every teachers learning style. Although, it does enable teachers to set outcomes and help to promote all aspects on the literacy syllabus (Machin and McNally, 2004, pp. 6 -