INCA Education around the world
Wales : Internal school organisation
- 4.1 First phase: Pre-compulsory education (ages 2/3 - 4/5) [see 3.2.1]
- 4.1.1 Organisation of teaching groups 4.1.2 Student progression through the phase
- 4.1.3 Class size
- 4.1.4 Teacher specialisation
4.1 First phase: Pre-compulsory education (ages 2/3 - 4/5) [see 3.2.1]
Proposed new 'Foundation Phase'
Following a consultation in 2003, the National Assembly for Wales (NAfW) is planning to introduce a 'foundation phase' of education for 3- to 7-year-olds. A pilot project for the foundation phase began in September 2004 and the statutory roll-out of the foundation phase will start from September 2008. To assist pilot schools and centres, a draft "Framework for Children's Learning" for the foundation phase has been produced. This provides good practice for schools and settings to follow. Guidance on children's learning and assessment is also being produced to support the system of continuous assessment based on observation recommended during this phase.
4.1.1 Organisation of teaching groups
Children in playgroups, nursery schools and classes are normally aged between 2½ and 5 years, although most are aged between 3 and 4. They may be grouped according to age, depending on the number of children and the size of the classes. Classroom organisation and teaching methods are decided by the headteacher and staff of a school.45
Teaching groups are generally mixed ability.45
4.1.2 Student progression through the phase
This phase is not divided into different cycles and children generally progress automatically from one class to another.
4.1.3 Class size
Nursery classes in maintained schools
There are no legal requirements concerning the number of adults per child needed in a nursery class in a maintained school. However, existing guidelines recommend a minimum of two staff members for every 26 children in nursery classes of maintained schools or in nursery schools, and a minimum of two staff members for every 20 children where the teacher has other administrative duties to perform (e.g. where he/she is also the headteacher). In both cases, one member of staff should be a qualified teacher and the other a qualified nursery/childcare assistant. Similar guidance applies to private nursery schools.45
Reception classes in maintained schools
The School Standards and Framework Act 19983 set the infant class size limit for reception classes and Key Stage 1 at 30 children. This limit was phased in over three years in Wales, starting with reception classes (children aged 4-5).72
In line with a National Assembly for Wales (NAfW) initiative to improve child:adult ratios in reception classes in schools in Wales, additional government funding is being provided to some local authorities - where there is a high level of social deprivation - to finance the provision of qualified childcare workers to assist reception class teachers. The aim is to ensure an adult:child ratio in such classes of 1:15.45
Other early years settings
Early years settings registered with their local authority social services department (pre-school playgroups, childcare/day nurseries etc.) are expected to comply with adult:child ratios set out in guidance (as follows):
- 0- to 3-year olds 1:3
- 3-year-olds 1:4
- 4- to 8-year-olds 1:8
Where a setting employs a qualified teacher and a nursery assistant with a relevant qualification in childcare and education, and the setting is open during the school term to provide nursery education for 3- to 5-year-olds, it may apply a ratio of 2:26 (or 2:20 if the teacher has other administrative duties to perform). (This ratio also applies to nursery provision in maintained schools, see above.)72
4.1.4 Teacher specialisation
Welsh Office (now National Assembly for Wales, NAfW) guidance recommends the involvement of a qualified early years teacher in all settings providing early years education within an Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and Plan (see 3.2.1). A national framework of accredited qualifications for early years education, childcare and playwork, produced by the former ACCAC (now merged into the Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, DELLS), provides early years staff with the opportunity to plan for career progression.72
In the case of pre-school playgroups affiliated to the Pre-School Learning Alliance (PLA), staff should have completed a training course specified by the Wales Pre-School Playgroups Association/PPA Cymru and Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (the Association of Welsh-speaking Playgroups).45
