ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the education of children under 5, in particular 4 to 5-year-olds in infant classes. Regarding the curriculum for under-5s it is vital that this should remain distinct from, although clearly related to, the National Curriculum. The evidence to date concerning the impact of the National Curriculum upon the education of children under 5 in the infant classes is extremely sparse and urgently needs strengthening. In the context of the present discussion it is important to distinguish, within the maintained sector, between the educational provision for 4-year-old children in infant classes and that in separate nursery schools and classes. The need for socially disadvantaged children to receive a high quality early childhood education prior to their entry into the first stage of the National Curriculum is even greater than it is for children from more favoured backgrounds.
