HC Deb 27 May 2004 vol 421 cc1700-1
6. Mr. Graham Allen (Nottingham, North) (Lab)

If he will make it his Department's policy to require children from areas of traditionally low educational attainment to start school in the year in which they are five, rather than the term in which they are five; and if he will make a statement. [175994]

The Minister for Children (Margaret Hodge)

There are no plans to change the age when compulsory school starts. However, from April this year every three and four-year-old became entitled to free early education either in a school or in a private or voluntary preschool setting.

We also have more than 500 Sure Start programmes, working with children and families in disadvantaged areas. By 2008, we plan to open at least 1,700 children centres delivering integrated child care and early education, together with family support and health services for children under five in the poorest communities.

Mr. Allen

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does she accept that, in areas of chronic educational under-attainment, it is important that there is a £3,000 grant for youngsters? It is important that we have on-site provision of further education in schools. However, the most important thing—certainly in my constituency it is essential—is that money is spent at the earliest opportunity. A pound spent on five-year-olds is worth £20 spent on those over 16. Will my hon. Friend look at the work of the city of Nottingham and consider writing to me about the possibility of all five-year-olds being at school for a full year rather than starting in the term in which they are five?

Margaret Hodge

I agree with my hon. Friend. All the research evidence further confirms his view that the early years of a child's life are crucial and determine children's outcomes as they grow up. I am sure that he agrees that a good early-years programme goes beyond early education and encompasses family support and community health services. I will write to him about his suggestion for his constituency. I am happy to discuss with him how we can raise attainment among young people in his constituency.

Jonathan Shaw (Chatham and Aylesford) (Lab)

I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen). There is extensive research to show that, for boys born in the summer who start school at an early age, an early start affects their educational attainment and life opportunities, so it is an issue worthy of consideration. Of course, the Sure Start programme helps in the areas that have been referred to. We have 500; we need 500 more. I hope that they will be a priority for spending in the comprehensive spending review. Ministers should keep their minds open to creating flexibility and paths for individuals rather than making individuals fit into the system.

Margaret Hodge

My hon. Friend is right to bring our attention to the research on outcomes for summer-born children. The fact that we have extended the opportunity for early education to all three and four-year-olds will mitigate the phenomenon to some extent. We should begin to understand how that affects children's opportunities before we consider changing the compulsory school starting age. We keep these matters constantly under review. Everything that happens in the early years of a child's life from birth to five, including what we do to support parents, is crucial to the outcome when that child grows up.