Children's achievement in the early learning goals at the end of the reception year is continuing to rise, according to an analysis of data from the Early Years Foundation Stage profile results from...
The number of nursery and primary school pupils eligible for free meals has risen, according to the 2009 school census.
With a New Year upon us, figures from the early years world share what they thought of events in 2009 and what developments they would like to see taking place in the future.
WINNER: CATHERINE FLYNN, ROMPERS NURSERY, ALLERTON, LIVERPOOL
Funding for the free early years entitlement for nurseries rose by only 11 pence an hour last year, with local authorities failing to plug the shortfall, claim market analysts Laing & Buisson in their...
WINNER: SEQUENCE BOOKS, COWGATE UNDER 5'S, EDINBURGH
WINNER: FREEMANTLE SCHOOL, FREEMANTLE, SOUTHAMPTON
WINNER: LIGHT BOX RESOURCES KIT, REFLECTIONS ON LEARNING
WINNER: LINCOLNSHIRE BIRTH TO FIVE SERVICE
Figures obtained by the Labour party show the number of early years places fell by more than 45,000 between 2009 and 2015.