Help for young families ‘failing disadvantaged’

Attainment gap exists ‘from age of five’

EARLY YEARS provision is failing to address “significant” social injustices in children’s life chances, the chairman of a powerful parliamentary committee has warned, calling for reform of free 30-hour childcare policies.

The Government’s approach is confused and lacking direction, a new report from the Education Committee has concluded, calling for more to be done to target provision for the most disadvantaged.

An attainment gap equivalent to over four months between disadvantaged children and their richer peers is already in place from the age of five, evidence from the Sutton Trust cited in today’s report reveals, more than doubling by the time they leave primary school.

Now Robert Halfon, chairman of the committee, has said the Government must come forward with a “comprehensive” strategy for early years services, including children’s centres and family hubs, to give disadvantaged children the best start in life.

“Despite the good intentions and efforts made by the Government, there remain significant social injustices in children’s life chances in England which early years childcare and education is failing to address,” he warned.

“It’s vital the Government reform the 30-hour childcare offer to focus it to help the most disadvantaged. The Government

should also ensure that maintained nurseries, who often deliver excellent outcomes for disadvantaged kids, get the funding support they need.”

The report cites findings from the Sutton Trust that the attainment gap, from 4.3 months at age five, widens to 19.3 months by the time children leave secondary school.

There are wide regional disparities, official Government figures released last year show, with nearly one in five more children in the early years meeting expected standards in the City of London than in Hull or Leeds.

Disadvantaged children spend significantly less time in preschool than children from more affluent backgrounds, the report by MPs concludes, suggesting that maintained nursery schools should be fully-funded.

MPs also said the Department for Education’s decision not to fulfil its commitment to conducting an early years workforce feasibility study is “disappointing”.

In the report they urge the Government to justify that decision and either reconsider or provide a suitable alternative.

Sir Kevan Collins, chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), said the committee was “absolutely right” to call for more focus on tackling disadvantage in the early years.

“Part of the answer lies in giving toddlers from disadvantaged homes access to high-quality, evidence-based nursery provision, with well-trained and skilled staff,” he said.

“Family life is also a crucial part of that equation and finding the best ways for parents to support their children’s early learning, especially in language and literacy, should continue to be a key focus of early years policy.”

There remain significant social injustices in children’s life chances. Robert Halfon MP, chairman of the Education Committee