A series of reports citing evidence from research questioned the appropriateness of 4 year olds being offered a "too formal too soon' curriculum, a lack of outdoor space for learning, play and exercise and a high ratio of children to adults in Year R classes (Rogers and Evans 2008). Reception class teachers felt trapped between conflicting imperaives: to focus on teaching 'the basics' of literacy and numeracy, and to deliver a developmentally appropriate and play-based 'nursery education' curriculum.