Between 2013 and 2016, the proportion of five-year-olds that have a "good" level of development has risen from 36 to 54 per cent for children in receipt of free school meals and from 55 to 72 per cent for their better off peers (see graphics).
However, the report criticises some schools and teaching professionals for not being sufficiently ambitious enough for children, and says more must be done to support disadvantaged pupils to develop at a faster pace. Narrowing the attainment gap at the start of formal education - currently standing at around 18 months - is vital to improve the life chances of poorer children, it adds.
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