How to challenge your children
Colour coordinate: Sorting items such as hoops and balls helps develop co-ordination, motor skills and concentration. Hand movements: designed to build dexterity include puzzle games and jigsaws. Free play: Imaginative playtime helps children associate physical activity with enjoyment. that age, that’s why it’s so important to focus on the basics while they’re young.”
Tarka’s instructors are nearly all men. It is a stark contrast to the outlook nationally, in which 98 per cent of early years educators are female.
“It’s completely wrong,” says Rufus, “because children need male role models to look up to. So many children have no male influence in their lives. There’s no ‘mannies’ – believe me, we’ve never come across one – no male teachers, and they rarely see their fathers.
“We’re adding balance to children’s lives. If they’re spending 50 hours a week with just women, you’ve got to restore some sort of equilibrium. There’s a piece missing from the family nucleus, and we’re filling it.”
Oliver and Rufus also view their military ethos – teamwork, discipline and respect – as paramount. Moving forwards, they hope that their model will be adopted in the state sector.
“We need far more investment in developing children when they’re young,” Oliver continues. “It would be great not only to feel as though we’ve brought something fresh and innovative, but also to look back and see that feeding through into the curriculum.”