BBC News – Hannah Richardson
“Too many children are starting school in England unable to speak in simple sentences or control their behaviour, a study says. The Early Intervention Foundation’s analysis found a fifth of children lacked the expected personal, social and emotional development by age five…The foundation’s chief executive, Carey Oppenheim, said: “Too many children arrive for their first day at primary school lacking the broad range of skills they need to reach their full potential. “This can have damaging consequences which can last a lifetime – especially as children with strong social, emotional and communication skills developed in childhood have a better chance of getting a good job and being healthy…The government said it recognised the importance of early years investment…And this was why it had raised spending by £1bn a year.”(more)