I. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions. 1. What do you know about nursery education in Great Britain?

1. What do you know about nursery education in Great Britain?

2. What is the difference between nursery education in Great Britain and in the USA?

3. What is the difference between nursery education in Great Britain and in Russia?

In the UK, pre-school education in nursery classes or schools is fully funded by local government for children aged over three. Pre-school education can be provided by childcare centers, playgroups, nursery schools and nursery classes within primary schools. Private voluntary or independent nursery education is also available throughout the UK and varies between structured pre-school education and a service offering child-minding facilities.

Nursery in England is also called FS1 which is the first year of foundation before they go into primary or infants.

The curriculum goals of a nursery school are more specific than for childcare, but less strenuous than for primary school. For example, the Scottish Early Years Framework and the Curriculum for Excellence define expected outcomes even at this age. In some areas, the provision of nursery school services is on a user pays or limited basis while other governments fund nursery school services.

Each child in England at the first school term after their third birthday, is entitled to 15 hours per week free childcare funding. This entitlement is funded by the government through the local council. Pre-schools in England follow the Early Learning Goals, set by the Early Years Foundation Stage, for education produced by the Department for Children, Schools and Families which carries on into their first year of school at the age of four. This year of school is usually called Reception. The Early Learning Goals cover the main areas of education without being subject driven. These areas include:

Personal, social and emotional development (prime area)

Communication and Language (prime area)

Physical education (prime area)

Literacy (specific area)

Mathematics (specific area)

Understanding the World (specific area)

Expressive Art & Design (specific area)

Until the mid-1980s, nursery schools only admitted pupils in the final year (three terms) leading up to their admission to primary school, but pupils now attend nursery school for four or five terms. It is also common practice for many children to attend nursery much earlier than this. Many nurseries have the facilities to take on babies, using the 'Early Years Foundation Stage', framework as a guide to give each child the best possible start to becoming a competent learner and skilful communicator.