Commenting on a new report published today (Thurs 19 Aug) by the Sutton Trust, into funded early years education for 'working' parents, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said:

"It is widely accepted that high quality early years education can make a lasting difference to a child’s life. A policy that restricts access to early years education for the poorest children in society cannot be right.

"The evidence that the 30-hour extended entitlement for working families may be contributing to the recent widening in the attainment gap is deeply concerning and should prompt the government to take immediate action.

"There is a clear and simple solution here: make the entitlement for 30 hours of funded childcare and early education universal so that every child has the very best start in life regardless of their background or their family’s circumstances."