English children are some of the most highly educated in the world, but is the cost of such academic achievement too high?
In this debate, Jonathan Dimbleby and a distinguished panel examine the issues around the state of today's Early Years and primary education.
How early should formal education begin and can we learn from those countries who start much later than we do? What is the role of play and creativity when set against the drive for standards. Are policies like SureStart making a difference? Is there too much pressure on children too early?
Now a new inquiry, led Robin Alexander, offers hope of a new consensus. Can we stop the policy pendulum, and achieve a proper balance between national demands and the learning needs of young minds?
