Kendall calls for early years inequality to be tackled
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Liz Kendall has called for a greater effort in tackling the inequalities that set in before children start school. This morning, the leadership hopeful said that as much effort should be put into tackling inequality during foundation years as it is at primary and secondary school.
Kendall said that she has seen first hand in her own Leicester West constituency how children could start school at the age of five over a year behind their peers in terms of development. This, she says, can have a lifelong effect, meaning “they struggle even to get basic GCSEs let alone have the chance of going to college, university or getting a great job.”
The Shadow Care minister said:
“A big reason why these early inequalities exist is about parenting and what happens in the home. Children growing up in professional homes hear three times as many words as children in the most disadvantaged homes.
“The amount parents read to their children and the number of books at home makes a huge difference here. The quality of the relationship between parents and their babies also shapes children’s social and emotional development – their self-esteem and self-confidence – and their ability to build relationships with others.
“These kinds of skills can affect how well children do at school and in the world of work, particularly in today’s service-driven economy.
“As Labour leader I will ensure that the foundation years – zero to five – will be equal in importance and status as primary and secondary schools. That means far more than increasing the amount of childcare that’s available to help parents with young children go out to work – vital though this is.”
Kendall has made early years intervention a focus of her leadership bid, having first raised the issue in a speech back in May. Speaking in Haringey today, she said that the problem, which entrenches equality throughout people’s lifetimes, requires a radical solution:
“If a disadvantaged child falls behind on their writing, for example, then they are likely to struggle with history essays later on in school. Researchers call it ‘cumulative disadvantage’ and, while it sounds depressing, it actually points the way to a radical solution: ensure that no child falls behind in the first place.
“And by ensuring no child falls behind, we can ensure that every child succeeds, no matter where they are born.
“The Labour Party is the greatest champion of equality and opportunity that our country has ever known. That has always been our cause. But right now, our party lacks the public’s trust. Unless we can restore that, we won’t deliver on the causes we believe in such as tackling inequality and ensuring children are school ready.”
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