Nursery World - Fall in number of two-year-olds at the expected level of development

The percentage of two-year-olds at or above the expected level of development in England has fallen in the past year.

The DfE statistics show fewer children achieved the expected level for communication skills than last year, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

New statistics from the Department for Education (DfE) on development outcomes for two and two and half year olds, reveal the percentage at or above the expected level in all five areas of development has fallen from 81.1 per cent in 2021-22 to 79.2 per cent in 2022-23.

The data covers the following areas of development – communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving and personal-social skills.

It finds:

The Early Years Alliance (EYA) called the findings ‘concerning, but sadly not at all surprising given an array of challenges (the pandemic and staffing crisis) over recent year which have created a perfect storm for providers.’

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