Written - Foundation Phase update

Members will know that I held a second meeting today with the Foundation Phase Implementation Group. I provided an update on developments since my last statement when an extra £5 million was announced towards the roll out of the Foundation Phase from September and we discussed a range of issues arising from the preparation for implementation.

Following the constructive advice from the Foundation Phase Implementation Group this morning, I am confirming a four year roll-out. This will mean a two year roll out of the curriculum for 3-5 year olds, making the Foundation Phase curriculum statutory for 3-4 year olds from September 2008. This arrangement will allow those schools and local authorities, which have already made good progress towards the 1:8 adult to child ratio for all their 3-5 year olds, to implement the Foundation Phase curriculum on a non-statutory basis for 4-5 year olds from this September. It would also allow practitioners in mixed aged classes to do so with all their 3 to 5-year-olds. The statutory requirements will apply only to 3 to 4-year-olds in the 2008/09 school year.

While the roll out will now take place over four years and not three there is no change to the commitment among all stakeholders to this universally welcomed initiative to provide the best possible start for our young children on the basis of a 1:8 adult to child ratio for 3-5 year olds, with 1:15 for 5-7 year olds .

I am conscious that all schools and settings are eager to implement this exciting new curriculum from this coming September, and every encouragement will be given to them to do just that.

I intend to write to members of the Implementation Group and to Local Authorities and schools confirming the flexibility that these arrangements would give in rolling out the Foundation Phase, with a focus on the youngest children first. We are still seeking robust financial information for our budget modelling and it is essential that all key partners and stakeholders work together in securing the successful implementation of this key initiative for Wales.