An educational philosophy is one way of expressing to an LEA (Local Education Authority) the feelings you have about your childs home education experience. It can be quite specific (although bear in mind a specific plan may encourage a sticky LEA inspector to ask you to show “progress”) or it can be a more general or autonomous description of how education”works” in your family. While an LEA cannot become specifically involved in your child until they are 5, or more normally until the term after they are 5, some people find it is helpful to have one from very early on, to formulate their thoughts about Home Ed.
For example, the one below, brief as it is, was written for a 2 year old.
“Our aim is to help and guide R to develop her emotional, physical and educational abilities to their fullest capacity in her own time” K.
I’d be delighted to receive sample educational philosophies and/or home education reports that home educators have used to send to their local authority. I have a number available on our own blog; we submitted them in some years and in other years were not seen or allowed a brief, non specific visit.
Our original philosophy/report for our eldest daughter is on MuddlePuddle. She was 5 when we wrote this. Subsequent ones can be read on Patch of Puddles.
Also:
L – a 5 Year Old Boy who’s parents believe in child led learning.
M – a 7 Year Old Girl who’s parents believe in child led learning and have an adult home educated child as well.
Additional help can be found below
Education Otherwise – Ed Phils for children of all ages.
Ed Yourself – writing an educational philosopy.
Fred – Ed Phils for Children of all ages.