Inspectors want a smoother transition into formal learning

Watchdog Ofsted says some pupils in England find the switch from reception class to the first year of primary school too abrupt.

"Parents have expressed concern about the impact on their children of such a sudden change," says the chief inspector of schools, David Bell.

The Ofsted chief also criticised how reception pupils were assessed.

The assessment system - the foundation stage profile - was described as involving too much paperwork and failing to provide the information teachers would need in the following year.

'Does not fit the bill'

"Today's report makes worrying reading about the foundation stage profile. It is bureaucratic and time consuming," says chief inspector, David Bell.

Luke spent quite a lot of time under the table, barking like a dog One four year old's experience of starting school

"It fails to provide parents and teachers with the information they need.

"I would urge the Department for Education and Skills and Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to look closely at today's report as it is clear that the foundation stage profile does not fit the bill," says Mr Bell.

But the Ofsted report says there is widespread support for establishing the reception year as a separate stage within the curriculum.

This so-called "foundation stage" covers the first year in school - but inspectors note some pupils might only get a much shorter amount of time before they are moved up.

"Some children have only been in school for little over a month when they move up to Year 1 and inevitably some pupils struggle," says Mr Bell.

David Bell wants to change the assessment for reception pupils

The report also says many schools are starting formal lessons at the earliest opportunity - even when it feels that pupils are not ready.

Reception teachers also felt this emphasis on getting off to an early start with literacy and numeracy could be at the expense of creativity and a more imaginative approach.

But inspectors found maths and literacy were the areas in which the transition from reception to Year 1 was most likely to be successful - reflecting that many schools will have introduced the literacy and numeracy strategies into the reception year.

HAVE YOUR SAY We need to go back to the stricter days of grammar, mathematics and science. Doug , London, UK Send us your comments

Responding to the criticisms, the QCA said: "An important element is the ongoing assessment of children based on observations, but we will look carefully to make sure that this is not too bureaucratic."

The Department for Education and Skills did not show signs of accepting the call for change.

"We are pleased to note that schools generally support this transition effectively and now that teachers are familiar with the profile, we expect that good progress to continue.

"The Foundation Stage Profile is the right mechanism to record children's progress at the end of the reception year," said a DfES spokesperson.