Too Much, Too Soon Campaign

At that age, although I would of course support the school I would probably be of a mind to tell them that it is too much and amongst other things is getting in the way of family life - more important at that age than homework.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly Resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989, entry into force 2 September 1990, in accordance with Article 49

Article 3
1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

Article 31
1. Every child and young person has the right to rest, play and leisure.
2. Governments must promote children’s and young people’s involvement in the arts.

If the children are motivated and happy and the work interesting they will do the homework willingly! if it is tedious stuff and the kids having to be bribed to do it..forget it!

I am a great believer in young children learning through play and wonder why the 'Playgroups' we all knew and loved are now 'Pre-schools'. It can't just have been a name change for the sake of it - could it ?

I take my son to 'playgroups' -informal settings where parent stays with child, not providing 'childcare' etc. - Love it.

Pre-school is something different, have to be registered and have to comply with the statutory EYFS and have Ofsted inspections.

When my children were young they went to playgroups. I think there were one or two paid staff and the remainder were parents who periodically did sessions on a rota basis. It was very affordable and the children enjoyed it. I don't suppose this sort of arrangement could work so easily now.

I enjoyed the playgroups and remember helping now and again.It was possible to take younger children with you as well which was an outing for them. It was really good fun and enjoyable for the children until they went to school at 5.No inspections then !

I used to help at play group, run in our little primary school, having three children of pre-school age. They were such great places for children to play and mix with each other. For a while I worked in the play group two mornings a week, and was there in the next classroom when my middle son joined his older brother in school. Such a good transition into school life.

I have seen some brilliant pre-schools and some terrible ones...there is a big range out there. Unfortunately education is a political hot potato because so many have a connection with education so it impacts on loads of voters!

Inspection in nursery was first brought in to ensure that children were safe and stimulated as there were some awful situations where children spent a long time in push chairs and hygiene was not always great!

However typical of government committees they created a system that is a real sledgehammer!

The group I helped to start in Hants. in the 60s was called a Pre-school Playgroup and was run entirely by mums-no paid help. I believe we even shared the costs!
My 2 youngest enjoyed it.
I later became a qualified teacher.