Dudley named as one of the worst performing areas in England for development of pre school children.
Dudley has made the top 10 list of worst performing for pre-school children, eligible for free school meals, in 150 local authorities; where less than half of poorer children reach a good level of development by the time they turn 5.
The research showed that poorer children are drastically falling behind their peers in their pre-school education. The analysis of official figures by the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), highlights how children’s life chances vary depending on where they live and the income of their parents.
Labour MP for Dudley North, Ian Austin, has stated that he wants action from the government to ‘make education a number one priority.’
He said: “I’ll be talking to the council about these figures but I do think they are further evidence of the need to make education out number one priority, to give local kids a first class starting life and build a stronger economy too.”
The research by JRF also showed that for all children, the Midlands and the North continue to fall behind the rest of the country.
JRF is calling on the Government to build on its childcare reforms by focusing on the quality of provision. Helen Barnard, head of analysis at JRF, said: “If we are to make Britain work for everyone, we need to stop poverty in its tracks and give every child the best start in life. Poverty damages children’s progress and the attainment gap opens up as early as age five, before they start school.”