Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding his Department has provided for (a) planned changes to the early years foundation stage and (b) the introduction of a baseline test at reception year.

The proposed reforms to the Early Years Foundation Stage are part of a wider programme of work to improve children’s outcomes, particularly supporting children from all backgrounds to achieve the early language and literacy skills they need to thrive. The government will publish its response to the consultation on the reforms when possible. Alongside this, the government is investing in a range of initiatives to support quality early years provision, including £20 million to provide professional development for early years practitioners working in disadvantaged areas.

From September 2020, the administration of the Reception Baseline Assessment will form part of a school’s statutory requirements. As with all national assessments, there is no specific funding for the assessment itself; the funding is included in the overarching funding for schools.