Charging parents guidance: children reading book together

EYFS results: Children overall making better progress

More children are at the expected level of development and also more are making good progress, according to the latest statistics from the Department for Education (DfE). 

The EYFS profile results showed that the gap is reducing slightly between:

  • Boys and girls 
  • autumn-born and summer-born children 
  • children with English as their first language and those with English as an additional language  

But the gap is widening between those who are eligible for free school meals and those who aren’t eligible. 

The results differ regionally too with those in southern regions doing the best but all improving slightly apart from children in the North East of England. 

More children were given EHC plans compared with previous years. 

Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of NDNA said:

“The latest EYFS profile results show the incredible work that is happening in nurseries across the country every day. Private and voluntary nurseries deliver the majority of places and these are crucial to improving outcomes for children when they turn five.

“The data also shows welcome improvements that are closing the gaps between boys and girls, summer born children and where English is an additional language. However it’s worrying to see the gap growing between children from deprived backgrounds and their better off peers. The focus on funding for childcare in working families risks making this gap more prominent.

“More and more children are getting EHC plans which shows the scale of challenge in early years, especially when the DfE is looking at reform of the system in a new White Paper. It is important that these children get the support they need early.

“We know that early intervention makes the most difference to these children and more investment must be made in their lives as early as possible to make a bigger difference but also to save money in the long run.” 

Read the full report here https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2024-to-2025 

  • England
  • childcare
  • Department for Education
  • early education
  • England
  • nurseries

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