Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the disparity in reading ability between different socio-economic groups at age four in each of the last five years.

The government is committed to improving education to make sure that children from all backgrounds have the skills necessary to succeed in life. The early years curriculum sets out the key areas that early years providers must follow. This includes a focus on literacy, communication and language. We have introduced Early Years Teachers who are expected to meet the same entry and qualification requirements as teachers of older children. We have also introduced a robust set of standards for Early Years Educator (EYE) qualifications (A Level standard) and, from September 2014, EYEs operating in the workforce at level 3 are required to hold GSCE English and maths at grade C or above.

The information requested is not available. The department does not collect data on the socio economic background of parents of 4-year-olds.

However, reception teachers must complete the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) in the final term of the year in which the child reaches age five. Teachers must assess whether children are at the expected level, above it, or below it in relation to each of 17 early learning goals. They must also complete a short assessment of each child’s skills and abilities against three characteristics of effective learning. The EYFSP results are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2013-to-2014