Commenting on a study by NFER and the Nuffield Foundation which shows that essential employment skills are founded on cognitive and behavioural skills that begin in early years, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“As this report shows, investment in early years education can making a lasting difference to children’s life chances and is one of the best ways to close the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. Gaps that develop during the early years are often harder and require more costly intervention to try and address later on.

“We have welcomed the new government’s moves to prioritise the early years with initiatives including expanding nursery provision in schools and increasing the early years pupil premium. It is vital that this focus continues, so that the early years sector receives the funding necessary to support children with their key cognitive and behavioural skills, especially those who need the most help.”