The National Audit Office (NAO) has raised concerns that the government’s extension of early years entitlement for working families will widen the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.
The warning comes as the government continues to phase in the extension, from this month through to September next year.
In its report into the government’s preparations around the policy, the NAO warns “it remains unclear” on whether it will negatively impact the Department for Education’s “wider priorities relating to quality and closing the disadvantaged attainment gap”.
Its report reveals that the DfE had “recognised the extension could widen the attainment gap and considered extending entitlements to younger disadvantaged children”.
