A curriculum for nursery education which will see babies assessed on their "crying babbling and squealing" was condemned by parents' groups today.

The Early Years Foundation Stage - dubbed the "nappy curriculum" - is compulsory for all nurseries, childminders and playgroups in England from this week. Ministers say the guidelines for children from birth to five years old will improve standards in nursery education.

But campaigners oppose the rules that will measure toddlers' progress against 69 "early learning goals". It will also see carers monitor the way babies up to 11 months old communicate.

Margaret Morrissey, from the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, said: "It is absolutely unbelievable that they can bring in this curriculum for such tiny children.

"Under fives develop at an incredibly different pace. All this is going to do is put extreme pressure on the people who look after children. It is going to put a whole category of children into failing before they even enter a school."

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said the rules will reduce inequality by ensuring the education of toddlers from disadvantaged families.

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