Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

Analysis paper

Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness

How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?

Sophie Metcalfe Nehal Davison
Read the report (PDF)
A row of coat hooks at a primary school
The government has set a target for 75% of children completing reception year to be ‘school ready’ by 2028.

The Starmer government has committed to five long-term missions, including to ‘break down barriers to opportunity’, and has set a target for 75% of five year-olds to be ‘school ready’ by the end of the parliament. How this challenge is framed will shape the policy approaches and choices that follow

Much has already been written about the struggles of the early years sector itself, from funding shortfalls and shortages of places to workforce recruitment and retention issues. This paper approaches the subject from a different angle, investigating which groups are at greatest risk of not being school ready. 

Our analysis shows deep disparities in school readiness between different demographic groups. Identifying the children at greatest risk of being left behind – particularly those facing multiple, intersecting disadvantages – will better equip policy makers to deliver on the government’s stated ambition to close the opportunity gap. This report begins that work.

We want to invite anyone with experience and expertise in this area to get in touch with us, so we can add voice, perspective and lived experience to this analysis.

Supporting document
School readiness - Briefing Sheet (PDF, 318.83 KB) 
Topic
Policy making Public services
Keywords
Education and skills Missions Schools Public sector Complex policy problems
Political party
Labour
Department
Department for Education
Publisher
Institute for Government

Related content

30 APR 2025 Case study

Reducing school absence

Learning from the last Labour government can help Keir Starmer reduce school absence.