Heads lobby over early learning

The early years plan will see more outdoors activity

Head teachers from across Wales are to lobby assembly members in a continuing row with the government over its foundation learning for young children.

Education professionals have said the play-based scheme for three to seven-year-olds is underfunded.

Education Minister Jane Hutt recently announced an extra £5m for the project, which goes nationwide in September

The National Association of Head Teachers said the lobby on Wednesday came at "the 11th hour".

The Foundation Phase is being run as a trial in a number of schools already, and the assembly government plans to roll it out across Wales for the next academic year.

The play-based learning methods, which will see more outdoors activity, require a high ratio of staff to pupils - one to eight.

But teachers are concerned there will not be enough money provided to employ the necessary number of staff.

Iwan Guy, acting head of the NAHT, told BBC Wales' news website his union was very concerned that September was fast approaching and the issue of funding was not yet resolved.

At the end of the day, it will be the heads and the teachers who will be expected to deliver Iwan Guy

"Schools don't know yet how much we're going to get so we can't recruit staff," he said.

"The dilemma for schools is the ratio (of staff) is being seen as a guideline but the curriculum is statutory.

"So we'll be expected to deliver it without the necessary resources perhaps.

"At the end of the day, it will be the heads and the teachers who will be expected to deliver."

Mr Guy said up to an additional £10m was needed, although he added nobody really knew how much the programme would cost to implement.

"The extra £5m (allocated last month) has been earmarked for the pilot schools. It's not going to directly affect all schools.

"It's not new money so we have got to ask the question, which part of the education budget is that money coming from?"

Mr Guy also claimed the money was only available up to April next year, although Ms Hutt has previously said funding would be ring-fenced and would be available for the summer term next year.

The lobby is taking place from 1000 BST.

On Thursday, the NAHT will be make representations to the assembly's finance committee, which is holding an inquiry into the funding for the early years' learning plan.