Election special = plenty of support for a kindergarten stage

Dear <<First Name>>

Only five more days to go before Scotland elects its next government. This is the first Scottish election where three of the major parties have included a kindergarten stage in their manifestos. The Scottish Greens and Liberal Democrats declared their support for Upstart’s aims some time ago, and we were thrilled to discover from its manifesto last week that the Labour party has also seen the light. Sadly, neither the Scottish Conservatives nor SNP had much to say about early years in their manifestos beyond promises of extra childcare for working parents.

Our Vice-Chair, Kate Johnston organised an Upstart hustings on 24-4-21, chaired by Tam Baillie, the former Children's Commissioner (please watch the recording – it’s brilliant!). Candidates from all the main parties stated their position on a range of topics, including raising the school starting age, PVI nursery funding and the Primary 1 tests.

This must be the first ever national election hustings on early years in the whole of the UK, so huge thanks and congratulations to everyone involved. It's wonderful that Scotland's politicians are beginning to see the enormous significance of our education/care provision for children between three and eight years old.

NEWS ROUND-UP

It's a rather short and scrappy newsletter this month because editorial eye problems are making it difficult to work on-screen. Hoping things will improve soon.

The P1 SNSA was the top headline in the Herald Online on 26-4-21 - in the article Upstart calls for a review of the early level to help sort out the mess.
On 25-4-21, the Guardian featured a double-page spread about play, including an article about the importance of free play and an excellent opinion piece.
A super opinion piece by Rebecca McQuillan in the Herald on 9-4-21, calling for a kindergarten stage.
A lengthy Times article from 3-4-21 on the effects of COVID on children which, not surprisingly, suggests the main damage has been to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
On 27-4-21 the BBC reported on the effects of the lockdown on young children's language skills.
A piece on the results of the British Children’s Play Survey, pointing out the extent of the decline of play even before COVID.

PLAY IS THE WAY:
talkin’ 'bout the next generation

The Play is the Way Book Group discussions continue to be riveting. If you missed them, you’ll find Brett’s magnificent films on our You Tube Channel. The following three films have been added in the last month:

Book Group 3 was about establishing play as the way for all under-sevens, with Marguerite Hunter-Blair, CEO of Play Scotland and Lisa McCabe, who is embedding play across early level in Falkirk (Watch it HERE)
Book Group 4 took a public health perspective with Professor John Frank describing a developmentally-appropriate assessment for P1 and Alan Sinclair on ‘getting it right from the start’.(Watch it HERE)
Book Group 5 was on the theme of ‘parent power’, with Patricia Anderson and Diane Delaney of Give The Time in conversation with Tina Woolnough of Connect, the parent-teacher organisation. (Watch it HERE)

Book Group 6 (4-5-21) looks set to be just as riveting as all the others. The two speakers are Play is the Way's publisher, Carol Craig, in conversation with Professor Helen Dodd, child psychologist and main author of the British Childrens' Play Survey, mentioned above. The subject is ‘Play, parents and resilience’. Tickets on Eventbrite HERE

Thanks to everyone who comes along to the groups and all the kind comments on social media.

David Whitebread, 1948-2021

It's with great sadness that we report the death of David Whitebread, whose research into play and development in the early years (especially self-regulation) was fundamental to the establishment of Upstart Scotland.

We send deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. If Upstart realises our ambition for a kindergarten stage in Scotland, future generations of Scottish children will owe a great debt to David's work and inspiration.

NEWS ROUND-UP

PLAY IS THE WAY:
talkin’ 'bout the next generation

David Whitebread, 1948-2021

News, views and resources

The Upstart team

NEWS ROUND-UP

PLAY IS THE WAY: talkin’ 'bout the next generation

David Whitebread, 1948-2021

News, views and resources

The Upstart team

PLAY IS THE WAY:
talkin’ 'bout the next generation