To provide an update on one of the key priorities in The Best Start in Life (BSiL) Strategic Plan, namely a Good Level of Development (GLD) in children aged 5 years.

Zoe Clifford introduced the report in the context of the Herefordshire Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023 - 2033 priorities (‘Best Start in Life’ and ‘Good mental wellbeing throughout life’), the Government’s policy paper ‘Giving every child the best start in life’, and the Regional Director of Public Health Midlands Report ‘Advancing Together Faster: The Critical Six for 2026’.  Liz Farr and Julia Stephens delivered the presentation ‘Best Start in Life: Good level of development’.

Attention was drawn to the following:

i.             The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile was a statutory assessment completed at the end of Reception year against 17 Early Learning Goals.

ii.            Good Level of Development (GLD) was a key national indicator of how well children were prepared for learning at Key Stage 1, covering expected standards in: personal, social and emotional development; physical development; communication and language; literacy; and mathematics.

iii.          The national ambition was for 75% of children to achieve GLD by 2028.  In 2024/25, 72% of Herefordshire children achieved GLD compared with 68.3% nationally; Herefordshire had been set a target of 80% by 2028. 

iv.          For children eligible for free school meals, 51.7% in Herefordshire achieved GLD compared with 51.3% nationally; the local target was 57.2% by 2028.  Only 19.7% of children with any special educational needs reached the benchmark.

v.           Public Health commissioned the Public Health Nursing Service to deliver health reviews, including the child readiness review at two-and-a-half years and, as an additional provision in Herefordshire, a child/school readiness review at age three.  It was noted that GLD could have a significant impact on adult life.

vi.          A case study highlighted the implementation of the Solihull Approach to provide consistent support and guidance for parents, practitioners, and families, involving workforce training and expanded access to parenting programmes.

vii.         Overviews were provided of initiatives aimed at narrowing the gap in outcomes for disadvantaged children, as well as other work undertaken by the Early Years Improvement Team.

viii.       The value of the home learning environment, quality childcare, and group-based interventions was highlighted.

ix.          The partner organisations were invited to consider how they might support employees who are parents and carers, advocate for the early years agenda, and encourage volunteering and mentoring.

Zoe Clifford noted that, although Herefordshire performed above the national average, a significant gap remained for children eligible for free school meals, and that improvement to the home learning environment could help reduce inequalities.

Jo Newton emphasised the importance of direct interaction between parents and children.  Julia Stephens reported that Best Start in Life work included encouraging parents to reduce their use of phones and other devices where this displaced conversation and interaction with children.

The Leader of the Council questioned whether the board should act itself, in addition to monitoring progress.  Liz Farr highlighted the comparatively low level of funding for Herefordshire schools and early years settings, and the ongoing need to advocate for fairer funding and sufficient specialist provision for children with complex needs.

Resolved: That

a)           The report be noted, including the effect of Good Level of Development on the life course, and progress on work to achieve a Good Level of Development at the end of Reception for children aged five years in Herefordshire; and

b)          The Chairperson write to the Government on behalf of the Health and Wellbeing Board to advocate for fairer funding for Herefordshire schools and early years settings, recognising the importance of education funding to improving outcomes and reducing inequalities.