Despite the government's "good intentions", its "confused approach" to early years education is widening the attainment gap between better and worse-off children, claims the commons education committee's report Tackling Disadvantage in the Early Years.
The highly critical report states that the government's life chances strategy was "never published", its social mobility action plan "did not fully address the role played by the early years", and its flagship 30 hours policy "is entrenching disadvantage rather than closing the gap".
The report, which results from the committee's Life chances inquiry, calls for government action in three key areas to help improve the situation - starting with reform of the 30 hours entitlement.
The policy is widely criticised by the sector for prioritising getting parents into work, rather than being grounded in the needs of children.
The report states: "We recommend that the government review its 30 hours childcare policy to address the perverse consequences for disadvantaged children.
"The government should reduce the earnings cap for the 30 hours childcare and use the extra funding to provide early education for disadvantaged children."
The calls to action cover "quality early years education" provision and a "strong home learning environment".
The attainment gap between disadvantaged and more advantaged children is already evident when children begin school aged five, according to social mobility think-tank The Sutton Trust, which gave evidence to the committee.
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