Pupil Premium should be extended to the early years to improve social mobility

Compiled by the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, the report says the Government should consider extending the Pupil Premium to early years settings to help narrow the attainment gap between less advantaged and more advantaged children early on.

The Pupil Premium, currently only open to schools, provides schools with an extra £900 for each disadvantaged pupil, including all children eligible for free school meals.

Schools are expected to use the Pupil Premium to raise pupils’ attainment.

The report, ‘Social mobility: the next steps’, goes on to say that the extension of the Pupil Premium should be supported by the creation of a new ‘robust’ assessment for children in reception so that those at risk of falling behind can be identified early and appropriate support can be put in place.

To reduce what it calls ‘significant gaps in outcomes that open up between birth and age three’, the Commission recommends that a new long-term plan should be developed for the early years, setting out the Government’s ambition for early education and quality of provision.

The report also suggests bringing together third and private sector organisations to develop a new parenting campaign focusing on the basics of child development and aimed at low-income parents.

The Commission says it believes that simple messages about the importance of parenting could start to narrow the gap in children’s outcomes.

The report also looks at the opportunity to progress in work. While it welcomes the Government’s renewed energy in to making a reality of welfare-to-work policies, it says that if social mobility is to gather pace, getting people into employment is just the first step.

The Commission says the Government should consider changing the law to require listed firms and public sector employers to publish the number of staff earning low pay, and get the Low Pay Commission to set voluntary benchmarks for different sectors.

It also says there should be a focus on improving hours and keeping women in the labour market by 'employment proofing' its childcare policies. As part of this, the Commission suggests revising the 2013 budget proposals to lower the £10,000 threshold for Universal Credit claimants to benefit, funded by lowering eligibility for very high earners.

Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, said, ‘There are a lot of Government initiatives underway that could make a difference to social mobility. But there are obvious gaps in the Government’s policy agenda that need to be closed. We welcome the opportunity to make recommendations about how that can be achieved.

‘We identify early years, youth transition and wage progression as absolutely critical for life chances but too often they fall between the cracks in the responsibilities of different departments and agencies. We now look to Government to take action.

‘Next month, the Commission will issue our first annual report on what progress is being made overall by Government, employers and schools to put social mobility higher up all of their agendas.’

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, said, ‘We would greatly welcome the extension of the Pupil Premium into early years for three- and four-year-olds if it would mean the introduction of targeted additional funding for these disadvantaged children and give them additional help during these formative years.

‘However, we are concerned that this proposal comes with the suggestion that it be linked to the introduction of the proposed robust assessment for children in reception in place of the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile. Members are not at all supportive of the need to replace the Foundation Stage Profile as the Government consulted extensively and implemented the revised EYFS only a year ago.  

‘We remain to be convinced of the need for change and view this as part of the creeping "schoolification" agenda of top-down pressures on early years. Such pressures misunderstand the function and purpose of early years, interpreting it as merely a process of preparing children for school whereas early years is about allowing and enabling young children to learn through play and to develop at their own pace in a safe and secure environment that will prepare them for life, not just school. The Alliance believes that schools need to be ready for children, not the other way round.’

Liz Bayram, chief executive of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY), said, 'The report highlights that there has been little progress in the last few years to close the gap between rich and poor in children’s formative years.

 'PACEY is committed to working closely with childminders, nannies and nursery workers to support them to deliver high standards of care and learning. We would welcome additional funding for vulnerable families by extending the Pupil Premium allocation into early years education. But it is crucial that any scheme to deliver this is robust in ensuring that funding is truly accessible to the most in need families.
 
'We recognise the sector should be accountable for the impact it has on young children’s development but that proposals for formalised tests need to be very carefully considered to ensure they take into account a holistic picture of children’s abilities including social skills and confidence, as well academic abilities.’