Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how his Department defines school readiness in (a) speech, (b) language and (c) communication skills.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the learning and development requirements that all early years providers must meet to shape and use educational programmes to ensure that children learn and develop well, and are ready for school.

The EYFS does not explicitly define school readiness; rather the 17 early learning goals (ELG) summarise the knowledge, skills and understanding that all young children should have gained by the end of the reception year, including with regard to speech, language and communication.

The department is in the process of making revisions to the ELGs and to the approach to assessment and moderation in the reception year. These reforms are intended to free up teachers to spend more time teaching, interacting with and supporting children to ensure they are developing the rich vocabulary, skills and behaviours they need to thrive at school and in later life.