Upstart produces a regular Newsletter for supporters with a blog, news round-up, useful links and other items of interest. It’s usually published around the beginning of the month. The following links take you to previous issues:
2023
October: Lots about Parliament…and other news
September: Change is possible – help make it happen
August: Let’s help policy makers see the light
June: Reports show EY policy still a guddle
May: Play + child development go to Parliament
April: Upstart emerges from its long winter sleep…
2022
November: Six days to go – please add your voice.
October: SNP votes for a kindergarten stage. How you can help!
September: Latest on SNP kindergarten debate and other EY news
August: SNP to debate kindergarten stage? Upstart makes the headlines!
July: An attainment gap rooted in development, not education
June: Is 1140 hours sustainable? And is Scotland collecting the wrong data?
May: Play is the way to counter the COVID effect
April: What the Muir Report says about Early Years… and other good news
March: A way forward for play in Scotland
February: It’s been a long month… did you miss anything?
January: Play Not Tests for 2022!
2021
December: What matters most in mid-pandemic – children’s futures or system reform?
November: Play is the Way is one today … and things are changing
October: More support for a kindergarten stage… and lots of reasons!
September: Play is the Way for this new school year
August: Summer news … and hopes for the future.
July: What does the OECD review mean for early years?
June: Help change Scotland’s early years policy – here’s how!
May: Election special – plenty of support for a kindergarten stage
April: Catch up or calm down? Early years roller coaster ride gets bumpier
March: No to catch-up! Yes to recovery, reconnection and PLAY!
February: Build back upwards! You know it makes sense!
January: 2021 – Scotland’s year of transformational change?
2020
December: A ‘Year of Childhood’ for Scotland – and play is the way!
November: Help us give a Christmas present to policymakers!
October: Are we doing enough to promote long-term health and well-being in early years?
September: Why are UK children the unhappiest in Europe? And why Scottish children soon won’t be.
August: Is this the most significant school term ever?
June: What, when, how for Scotland’s under-sevens?
May: Transitions, ambitions, decisions: let’s put children first
April: Early years in a time of coronavirus
March: A huge welcome to ‘Realising the Ambition: Being Me’ + lots of other Upstart news
February: Early years, play, school deferral, consultations, dates for your diary, and much more
January: New decade – new thinking about early years?
2019
December: What do the latest PISA results mean for early years in Scotland?
November: ‘There is hope’… in relationships, play and the natural world. Join Upstart today!
October: How to save the world – including childhood – with a tiny mindshift… and other Upstart news
September: Let the children play! It’s time to introduce a kindergarten stage (3-7 years)
July: Is Scotland rearing children fit for the future?
June: Online debate on SNSA starts 3-6-19… and other Upstart news
May: Testing times for EY educators … but inspiration is at hand!
April: ACEs, resilience, play-based learning, children’s rights … what’s next for Scotland?
March: The most exciting academic paper we’ve read this century .. and other Upstart news
February: All the Upstart news… and a message from Vygotsky about play
January: 2019 – the crunch year for play?
2018
December: Why all under-sevens deserve ‘the gift of time’ to develop their full potential
November P.S. Report on P1 tests controversy
November: Singapore opts for Play Not Tests … and researchers ask ‘Are children losing the ability to play?’
October: Scottish parliament votes against P1 tests … Upstart’s assessment of the news
September: Let’s use chalk and talk to promote Play Not Tests 4 P1! Latest news from Upstart
August: JUST DO IT! Opt-out campaign launched today: see our video, postcard and much more.
July: Happy holidays! Summer reading from Upstart about SNSA, self-regulatuion and much more
June: Questions about P1 tests from politicians + the latest news from Upstart
May: Play Not Tests, ACEs, shocking statistics about children’s mental health… and more news from Upstart
April: Launch of PLAY NOT TESTS in P1 campaign … and how you can help
March: Childhood is not a race – the latest news from Upstart Scotland
February: Childhood is not a race – the under-sevens need time to play!
January: GREAT NEWS: Upstart invited to join govt committee. PLUS: Upstart’s invitation to YOU!
2017
November: Welcome Maree Todd, new Minister for Early Years (that’s pre-birth to EIGHT years!)
October: The case for ‘Awesome Childhood Experiences’!
September: Read all about it: More Play, More Support, More Evidence!
August: Building the curriculum or teaching to the tests?
June: AGM – vote Upstart Scotland for strong, stable, independent children!
May: English MPs say tests damage mental health! (+ other Upstart news)
April: Why the under-sevens need play, not tests!
March: Did Scotland have the world’s first kindergarten?
February: International testing plans for 4/5-year-olds … and other EY news
January: 20 things Upstart wants for Scotland’s under-sevens in 2017…
2016
December: Why Scotland’s under-sevens need to be outdoor and active!
November: How we can change outdated attitudes to ‘Early Years’ and early learning?
October: Raising attainment starts with nurture, nature and play for the under-sevens
August: The vital importance of play-based education for the under-sevens
July: Changing the ethos of early education in Scotland – next steps
June: Taking Upstart forward – help us change the ethos of early years education
Launch special: Campaign Launch – one step nearer to play-based kindergarten for Scotland!
May: Upstart launches May 15th: an idea whose time has come
April: Upstart needs YOU to help with the National Launch!
March: Upstart: ready for life (not just school)
February: Upstart is up and running!
January: Let’s make 2016 the year Scotland ‘reclaims childhood’ for the under-sevens
2015
December: Will a four year old near you start school next year?
November: Schoolification isn’t working
October: Big Picture — Small Children (why Upstart is about far more than early years education)
September: Testing times for Scottish children… and other news from Upstart
August: New campaign about care and education of children aged 3 to 7