Early learning plan's year delay

The early years plan will see more outdoors activity

Local authorities have been given an extra year to introduce a new flagship early learning education scheme after fears over funding.

The play-based Foundation Phase for three to seven-year-olds was due to be used in primary schools across Wales from September.

But some children will now have to wait another year.

Councils and unions expect Education Minister Jane Hutt to secure extra cash for the future running of the scheme.

She met with local authorities and teaching unions on Monday after concerns were raised that the Foundation Phase, which would need one teacher for every eight pupils, is underfunded.

After the discussions it was announced four to five-year-olds in some areas will have to wait an extra year for the scheme, after a number of councils argued they cannot cover the cost of creating a high teacher to pupil.

Older children aged five to seven will all be included in the scheme within four years.

Ms Hutt previously announced an extra £5m for the assembly government project, which has been run as a trial in a number of schools already.

But, even with the extra money, teachers were concerned there would not be enough money provided to employ the necessary number of staff.

'Poor government'

Mother of two Claire Higgins, who is strongly in favour of the Foundation Phase, which will see more outdoors activity, said she hoped her son would not be affected by a delay.

"My little boy is due to start in the reception class in September and he will miss out on learning this way if there is a delay," she said.

"It is a fantastic curriculum and is fantastic for kids because they are learning through doing.

"Many European countries follow this model and their exam results and universities are miles ahead of ours.

"It is very poor government to starting dithering over something like this and not have it ready to go."