A Educational Policy Perspective On Transition From Early Childhood Phase To Primary Education In The UK

Transition from early childhood phase to primary education is a basic and common educational problem in the world,also is one of the issues each country trying desperately to tackle.The influence of transition not only exists in primary education but also in the whole life of each child. Appropriate and successful transition is the basic request of children continuity development. As increasingly importance has been attached to the early childhood education,people pay more attention about transition to school.Haveing a research which is from a educational policy perspective on the development of transition to school in the UK,to know more about the development characteristics and status of transition in different social backgrounds,may give us a completely understanding of early childhood education in the UK,and also we can learn experiences and lessons about it.There is two parts in this study:first,from 1980s to the beginning of 1990s,which is under the control of Mrs. Thatchers government,1988 Educational Reform Act is the most important policy and educational reform began from then on.The characteristics of transition is "quality first''and emphasize children's knowledge and experience,also it is a short-term readiness of school education. Second,from the end of 1990s till now,we discuss the policies and plans implemented by New Labour government.The provision of transition becomes more scientific and rational.For example,it stress not only on children's knowledge and experience,but also children's social and emotional development.lt lies on children'ssustainable development and the transition is a mutual and multi-layer process.Meanwhile social transition is attracting more and more attention.From the development of transition in UK,we can learn lessons:first,the development of early education is the prerequisite of transition;second,the policy and financial support of government is the development platform of transition.Furthermore, though the transition in UK is becoming more and more scientific and rational,there's also some problems need to settle.