Upstart Scotland advocates for a kindergarten stage in Scotland, ensuring a play-based and developmental approach as well as an older formal start to primary school.
Having first called for the school age to be raised at Holyrood over 20 years ago, I am glad that UPSTART SCOTLAND’s campaign is at last gaining momentum and I chatted to their chair, Willie French, at Holyrood.
SNP members last year backed a motion that would see a kindergarten stage for three to six-year-olds, a system similar to that in Nordic countries.
The kindergarten stage would effectively replace primary one and consist of play-led childcare. Academic evidence shows that play-based experiences in nursery/kindergarten lead to better mental and physical wellbeing as opposed to instructional approaches of formal education.
More info can be found here https://upstart.scot/
