Despite concerns about the economic landscape, ministers continue to promote education initiatives. Bridget Phillipson announced funding for 300 primary schools to create nurseries, adding 4,000 places by September. The OBR estimates a GDP increase from free nursery hours for under twos, indicating immediate workforce benefits. The goal of this initiative is to improve life chances for underprivileged children, as studies show early education significantly enhances their long-term development and school performance. Schools like Fulbridge Academy are expanding nursery access to ensure smoother transitions into primary education.
In the great dash for growth, the OBR predicted an extra 0.2% of GDP due to the provision of free nursery hours for under twos, which are now coming on stream.
The overriding motive of Labour's early years push is to drive life chances of children whose future is too often determined long before they reach primary school.
Four out of five deprived children who arrive in reception without attending nursery never catch up with the rest: it’s easy to recognise which children went through nursery from the start.
The IFS found children had fewer hospitalisations and better GCSE results, tracing children from the (mostly lost) Sure Start centres of the last Labour government.
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