This booklet reports and comments upon recent trends and issues that have influenced the education of children under age 5 in the United Kingdom. It is based on over 300 inspections of nursery and primary schools undertaken between 1985 and 1988. Following a brief introduction that outlines the educational provisions for preschoolers in the United Kingdom, the report examines some of the principles underlying the preschool curriculum. The report goes on to explore such topics as: (1) personal, human, and social learning and experience; (2) language and literacy; (3) mathematical learning and experience; (4) scientific learning and experience; (5) technological learning and experience; and (6) aesthetic, creative, and physical learning and experience. Each section includes examples of good practice in the classroom setting and discusses implications of the National Curriculum for such teaching practices. (MDM)