Adult-led vs child-initiated?

Question

What are the current standards for the ratio of adult led to child led activities/play in early years settings and where can I find them? What is the new ratio (I think it is 80% child led and 20% adult led) and where can I find it?

Answer 1

The DfES site suggests a balance of child initiated vs. adult led activities, but do not seem to have given specific expectations in terms of what the ratio should be.  Our Foundation Stage Unit is probably about 80:20 as this works very well for us but didn't realise that there was a required standard - where have you heard about this?

There is currently a thread on the TES site discussing what the ratio should be, one person has suggested that you should have a 50:50 balance, but draw 80% of obs from child initiated activities and 20% from adult led.  Not sure if this is any use to you, if you could post how you were made aware of the requirement of an 80:20 ratio that would be really helpful!

Answer 2

This is a question concerning philosophy of education, which varies greatly from school to school and method to method.  In the Montessori method, it's quite drastically different in terms of high levels of child-initiated activity, where in a more traditional environment, it tends to be heavily more teacher-lead activities.

This is a methodological question, not a standard-based one that people must follow.

Answer 3

It is best if you do a web search for your particularly area regarding educational standards for preschool requirements.

Answer 4

The aim is to go to 50/50

Answer 5

Are you in UK??

The FOUNDATION STAGE PROFILE which all reception (and younger) children are legally bound to be assessed on now sggests that for you exemplars of each statement should be  child initiated 80% and  adult led 20%

but I dont know if there are set percentages in class time.

The below website has all the details of the new EYFS curriculum and guidance

Answer 6

With the new EYFS (early years foundation stage) framework becoming implemented from Sep 08, there has been alot of talk and research with regards to this.  Hampshire CC, EECU state that children learn most effective in settings with "play" based curriculum with a balance of about 50% child initiated and 50% adult initiated.  i personally think it is down to the individual child's personality & environment to the imput needed by an adult to help support a child "playing"

Answer 7

Your best bet is to call the Ministry responsible for licencing daycare centres (in Ontario it's the Ministry of Family and Social Services- licencing division)

Answer 8

I don't recall there ever being a "rule/law" regarding this.  It varies from philosophy to philosophy...and also from class to class.  The majority being child led is the best.  Hope you can find the info you want.  I'd be interested in it if someone does give you this info.  If you don't mind taking a minute to email/forward the answer.  I'll try to look back at this question myself after it's been resolved as well.

Answer 9

hm I didn't even know there were current standards for that type of activity - perhaps only in your state?  We probably have 50/50 in our school. Maybe 60/40 if I think really hard! I am from Ohio.