Policy in relation to early years education is developing apace and is likely to be a significant issue in the 2015 election. This articles critiques current government thinking with its emphasis on "school readiness". The article argues that the emotional and learning needs of young children are being neglected by a system that sees early years education as necessary to ensure "we can compete in the global race". The article argues that we must resist the drive towards "schoolification" and instead ensure that the long-term emotional well-being of children is the central aim of early years education.