A Time For Hope?

There is so much speculation about our Schools, when will we return, how will we operate, what kind of world will we be operating in? These are scary times, but maybe we can look through and beyond this, are these also times for change?

The idea that our system should change is not new, but maybe now, more than ever there is a real chance of this happening. Teachers and Parents across the World are experiencing a life changing event, to varying levels, which is highlighting two things; time, and how truly precious this is, and childhood, how truly precious this is.

Change is afoot. It has been suggested that a third of people in the UK will now change their working patterns, having seen that they can work from home and achieve a greater, happier work life balance. There is talk of more children being home-schooled and of more parents dedicating time to ‘family’ in a far more exclusive way than before. It is certainly heart-warming to think that a crisis like this could promote positive change.

It is no secret that the children returning to us, whenever that may be, will be different, as we too will be different. It undoubtedly will mean that Prime Areas of learning will naturally be in focus. But shouldn’t that always be the case? And is now the time to address this and promote a ‘bottom up’ approach that has long been the cry from Early Years professionals. That workforce which has been seriously undermined, and let down, by Bold Beginnings, baseline testing, ‘School Readiness’ and a general misunderstanding of play and all its glory. I certainly hope.

I long for a time when we are a trusted and respected workforce, when we recognise that children are actually pretty capable, and magical and most of all, our future. A future we should be nurturing and filling with self-esteem and the kind of ‘I can do it’ problem solving, and curiosity this crazy world really needs.

I live in hope Early Years folks.