Editor Communication Russian roulette Where to start? Writing editorials can be a taxing affair. There are times when you wonder whether there is anything to say, anything to add, then you wonder whether anyone reads what you have to say. Still, there are times when you spend too long filtering and sifting, every day of the month bringing something to your attention. This month it has very much been a case of the latter. The eYFS, oh yes, the revised or ‘reformed’ or rejuvenated or rejigged or redundant or the refocused eYFS, whatever the terminology of the day transpires to be (yes, I am being flippant, I am in that sort of mood) could well be the subject of pages of comment and opinion, but such is the nature of monthly publications and cover dates that the ground of the early years world could easily have shifted onto an entirely new axis by the time this hits the printers. So much is happening and at such a rate. however, at the time of writing I have just received Jean Gross’ review of her two years spent as the government’s communication champion, and interesting reading it makes. Jean has delivered a very fair and considered reflection of the past two years, highlighting the improvements that have been made in identifying speech, language and communication needs, and in supporting children, families and settings in trying to overcome or better manage these issues. Jean does not shirk from her responsibilities though and also notes the shortfalls in provision, policy and practice that are still condemning too many children in failing to improve their communication skills, their self-esteem and their prospects in life. In doing so, she also makes a number of recommendations for the government’s benefit moving forward. In doing so, she has the backing, I’m sure, of the many groups and charities that form the Communication trust. This is a powerful voice that the government would do well to listen to. There is one conversation that Jean highlights that really brings a chill to my spine, and should do to anyone involved in supporting, caring for and educating young children, of all abilities. ‘to hear recently from one SLt who told me she had three children on the service’s caseload who needed a communication aid, but only a budget for one – so that she had to choose which of the three would be granted the right to communicate with family, friends and teachers, and which two would not.’ [my emphasis] Budget and spending cuts have affected everyone. tough decisions have had to be made, but you cannot tell me that any forward thinking government with any sense of self-respect and dignity can read the above and not feel a sense of shame. It is not a question of passing the buck onto a local authority, it is question of putting the right money in the right places, for the right reasons, and justifying it, and living with it, and for a moment thinking what it must be like to be that poor SLt making that decision, feeling the pain of the parents of the two children who missed out, and imaging how different their lives could and should have been. oh, for a banker’s bonus... Editor Neil Henty MSc Consultant editor Jessica Waterhouse MA, early years teacher, Cypress Infant School, London