Nursery World - Benefits of attending high-quality early years settings continue to age seven

Researchers have found a link between attending high-quality early years settings between the ages of two and four and better academic results in Year 2.

The findings from the latest SEED report show children who attended high-quality early years education performed well at Key Stage 1 PHOTO Adobe Stock

The latest results from the longitudinal Study of Early Education and Development (SEED), which is following 5,000 children up to the age of seven, reveal that attending high-quality nursery classes, nursery schools or playgroups between ages two and four was associated with better results in Key Stage 1 Maths, Science and combined English and Maths during school Year 2 (age seven).

The amount of time spent in early education and care (ECEC) had no impact on children’s academic outcomes apart for those from the most disadvantaged families.

According to findings from the Government-funded research, published by the Department for Education (DfE), children from the 40 per cent most disadvantaged families who attended early childhood education and care (ECEC) for at least 10 hours a week before age two, increasing to at least 20 hours per week between age two and the start of school, had better outcomes on Key Stage 1 reading, writing and science, as well as the phonics check.

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