Excellent news for Suffolk’s children as results in the early years continue to rise.
Provisional figures which have been published by the Department for Education show an increase in Suffolk children achieving a Good Level of Development in their Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) results. The assessments recognise children’s achievements in the EYFS. This includes key areas of learning and development such as communication and language; physical development; and personal, social and emotional development.
In Suffolk 70.2% of children achieved a Good Level of Development (GLD) this year. This is higher than the rest of England.
The percentage of children eligible for free school meals achieving a GLD compared with those not eligible, has also improved this year. This means the gap between the groups has narrowed by 7% points.
Conservative Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, Councillor Gordon Jones said: “This is a fantastic result for Suffolk children. We have met and exceeded the targets which we set after receiving last year’s results. I am thrilled to see Suffolk’s Good Level of Development figures continue to rise year on year and that we have continued to stay above the national average.
It is particularly pleasing to note the improvement seen for children eligible for free school meals across the county. The results include a group of children who first received a free place at two years old rather than aged three, because their parents were eligible, for economic reasons. Conservative national policy is making a difference to the children whose families are less well off, because we can see they have achieved more compared to children with similar backgrounds who did not have a place at two in previous years.
All children, no matter their family circumstances, are entitled to free early education (childcare) from the term after their third birthday up until they start school full time.
More information and details of how to apply can be found here: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/childcare-information-and-support-for-parents-and-providers/guidance-for-parents-and-carers/