STRONG FOUNDATIONS IN EARLY YEARS

A lack of strong foundations in Early Years is one of the major barriers to opportunity.

Getting the best possible start in life is crucial - a strong foundation in early years education is the cornerstone of social mobility. Research suggests that on average 40% of the development gap between disadvantaged 16 year olds and their peers has already emerged by the age of five. Language and literacy skills - in particular a child’s word count and knowledge of vocabulary especially matter to enable them to make the best out of their initial education, and also forming friendships and relationships and with emotional development.

Measures:

• Percentage of nursery providers rated ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ by Ofsted (Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, Social Mobility Index, Social Mobility Commission)

• Percentage of disadvantaged children/all children achieving a ‘good level of development’ at the end of the Early Years Foundation stage. (Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, Social Mobility Index, Social Mobility Commission)

• Percentage of children who have closed the word gap (Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, Social Mobility Index, Social Mobility Commission)

  These measures have been developed by the Purpose Coalition and in consultation with the Office for National Statistics.