90% of teachers support under-fives curriculum

Nine out of ten teachers support the new curriculum for under-fives, it has emerged, despite criticism of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) from some corners.

A Times Educational Supplement poll revealed that the "nappy curriculum" is backed in principle by teachers, although there have been some concerns raised.

The main criticism is that the targets have been set too high, particularly the goal that by the age of five children should be able to form simple sentences and use phonics to try writing.

Other educationists have argued that it could be too prescriptive, but Edward Melhuish, an expert on early years education at the University of London, told the newspaper that this may simply be because "the objectors are those who aren't dealing with the run-of-the-mill provision".

"What I have found fits with the survey very closely - that, by and large, the profession is very supportive," he adds.

Sir Richard House of early years education group Open EYE recently called on the government not to make EYFS compulsory, the Guardian reported.