Henry Smith, Crawley MP, has today welcomed a £50 million new fund for three and four year olds from low-income families, which was unveiled by the Government earlier today to prevent children falling behind before they have even started school.

The new early years pupil premium, worth over £300 per pupil, is designed to narrow the attainment gap between young children from low-income families and their peers, setting them on the path to a more successful future.

Local MP, Henry Smith, commented:

“I’ve been a long standing supporter of early intervention in a child’s education. According to research, children from low-income families are estimated to already be 19 months behind more advantaged peers when they start school. High-quality early education can close this gap and improve results later on in life.

“Every child deserves the chance to fulfill their potential, and this new £50 million fund is a boost to help Crawley’s youngest children get on in life and succeed.”

The early year’s pupil premium aims to help nurseries raise the quality of their provision and today’s consultation will look at how best to make it work.

Nurseries will have freedom to decide how to use the money to help three and four year olds learn and develop, for example more qualified staff or specialists in activities like speech and language to give an extra focus on basic skills.