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<p>The government recognises a key part of raising the standard of education for all
children, regardless of background or gender, is to ensure they receive a good level
of development in literacy and numeracy before they start school at age five.</p><p>
</p><p>The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework sets the prime areas of learning
which early years providers must follow. This includes a focus on communication and
language. The Early Years Foundation stage is published on gov.uk and can be accessed
through the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/335504/EYFS_framework_from_1_September_2014__with_clarification_note.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/335504/EYFS_framework_from_1_September_2014__with_clarification_note.pdf</a></p><p>
</p><p>The 2014-15 EYFS Profile results tell us that the proportion of children achieving
a good level of development continues to increase – 66 % in 2015, compared to 60%
in 2014 and 52% in 2013. The EYFS Profile results also show that more than 80% of
children are reaching the expected communication and language skills by age five.
A higher proportion of children eligible for free school meals are achieving a good
level of development – 51% in 2015 compared to 45% in 2014. Although the gap between
disadvantaged children and their peers is narrowing, we recognise there is still some
way to go.</p><p> </p><p>The government is making a significant investment in the
early years sector, working closely with the profession to help improve its status.
As a result, numbers of qualified staff have risen, numbers of graduates in the workforce
continues to rise, and a record number of providers are rated good or outstanding,
with 86% of providers currently on the Early Years Register judged good or outstanding
for overall effectiveness at 31 March 2016. This represents an eight percentage point
increase on the position at 31 March 2014.</p><p> </p><p>The quality of the workforce
continues to rise with 87% of staff in full day care settings now qualified to level
3 (equivalent level of study to A-level). To improve the quality of the workforce
further, we have introduced early years teachers who must meet the same entry qualification
requirements as teachers of older children.</p>
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