The first years of a child’s life play a significant role in determining their chances later in life. It’s a crucial period for social mobility as it’s when the gap in outcomes between poorer children and their more affluent peers first takes hold.

20%

The proportion of families in the bottom third of the earnings distribution eligible for the 30 hour entitlement.

20pp

The early years attainment gap in 2022/23, up from 17pp in 2016/17.

1000+

The number of Sure Start centres closed between 2009 and 2017, with further closures since.

How can we change this?

Our research has uncovered practical, evidence-based solutions to improve access to high-quality early years learning and development opportunities.

Equal access to early years education

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Equal access to early years education

The full entitlement to funded early education hours should be available to all children, and not just those with working parents. Equal access to at least 20-30 hours of provision at three and four should be a priority, followed by two year olds.

The Early Years Pupil Premium

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The Early Years Pupil Premium

The Early Years Pupil Premium should be increased to the same level as primary schools, and its administration should be simplified, benefitting providers and parents.

High quality early education

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High quality early education

Well-qualified staff are vital in helping to close the gap in development before school starts. Yet many nursery staff lack good GCSEs in English and maths.

Much more needs to be done to increase the qualifications of staff, as well as providing career pathways to attract talent. A ‘Leadership Quality Fund’ should be introduced, which could be accessed by early years settings to attract, hire and pay qualified staff, or train existing staff.

Community based early years support

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Community based early years support

Children’s centres are a community resource that bring together services for young children and their families. The wider evidence suggests this can particularly benefit low-income families. Yet our research shows that the services on offer have been much reduced in recent years, including in the most disadvantaged areas.

A national strategy for children’s centres is needed to reverse over a decade of cuts to family support services. The government should commit to rolling out at least 350 new facilities, with a focus on the most deprived areas.

Our efforts to create change

The current early years system isn’t working as it should. Children from low income or workless households are unable to access extra early education support. This means that the very children who would benefit most from additional provision are locked out, and they are already months behind their peers by the time they start school.

We have been working with The Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust to change the system and equalise access to early education and childcare support, so that all children have fair access to high quality early education.

Read about our work

Our work with the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

We have been leading on the Coaching, Early Conversations, Interaction and Language (CECIL) project, which is generously supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Lindsell Foundation and SHINE Trust.

The project aims to address inequality in children’s early language and communication skills, by supporting high-quality practice within early years settings.

Find out more about CECIL

Read the final CECIL report

Read about our other key priorities

Schools and colleges

Higher education

Apprenticeships

Access to the workplace