Although she stressed that this would not mean toddlers sitting exams or formal assessment, experts are concerned at increasing pressure on young children.
In a speech to the think-tank the Institute of Public Policy Research, Ms Kelly said that the Government wanted to see the number of five-year-olds reaching 'a good level of development' increase from 48 per cent to 53 per cent by 2008.
Ms Kelly said, 'It may not sound much, put like that, but it means an extra 30,000 more children ready to learn at age five every year.'
In her speech, Ms Kelly said that, 'Early years childcare must be built around play. It must provide safe, nurturing environments which provide the opportunity for kids to have fun and develop so when they start primary school they are ready to learn and thrive. Reflecting this, I am announcing details of our national aspirations. By 2008 we want to have seen improvements across the country in children's readiness for school at age five.'
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