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<p>Research shows that parental involvement in early learning as part of daily family
life has a critical impact on children’s well-being and achievement.</p><p>The Early
Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework requires a child’s key worker to
seek to engage and support parents and/or carers in guiding their child’s development
at home. They should also help families engage with more specialist support if appropriate.
Ofsted inspect registered providers against these requirements.</p><p> </p><p>The
Department recognises early education improves the life chances of children and that
is why we have extended free childcare to around 40% of the most disadvantaged two-year-olds.
This means more parents than ever are benefitting from being in regular contact with
an early years practitioner and understand what to expect and how to support their
child’s physical, emotional and cognitive development. The Department encourages early
years providers, including children centres, to use their outreach services in promoting
the importance of a positive early home learning environment to parents.</p><p> </p><p>I
am also working closely with Ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health to
ensure that closer working between early years practitioners and Health Visitors means
that parents can benefit from both sets of professional expertise in getting a rounded
picture of their child’s development at age two. This new policy of integrated reviews
supports early intervention, which we know can improve outcomes. Working with Public
Health England I plan to provide more information to parents to help them understand
the developmental milestones and expectations for young children, and help them to
feel more confident in how they can support that development as parents.</p>
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