Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Prioritise expanding evidence on early years interventions and update on pupil premium impact.
Recommendation
Early Years funding and support remains critical for disadvantaged children to have the best start in life; it will be essential that DfE builds its evidence of what works. The value of intervening as early as possible in a child’s life is well recognised, but the Department has not reflected this in its funding even after increasing Early Years Pupil Premium by 45% for 2025–26. Previously, in 2024–25 the maximum early years pupil premium for a 3–or 4–year–old was £388, compared to £1,480 for primary school child, with the Department unable to provide a clear rationale for these differences. The Department recognises it needs to continue revisiting funding and stressed the value of evidence in doing so. However, it can take a long time to generate evidence of the longer–term impact of early years interventions. For example, the best evidence for the impact of Sure Start Centres, on later academic attainment has only recently been published. The Department will need to think about how it will collect evidence on the impact of Family Hubs support for families in disadvantaged areas, including in the early years, although they have not been in place long. recommendation The Department should prioritise expanding its evidence base on the effectiveness of early years interventions, including the role of Family Hubs, and in 12 months update the Committee on the impact of its decisions to increase Early Years Pupil Premium in 2025–26. In doing so, it should set out how its approach to developing evidence and then making funding decisions will align going forwards. 4
Government Response Summary
The government committed to expanding the evidence base by commissioning an independent evaluation with the EEF to monitor the impact of the 45% Early Years Pupil Premium uplift. It also outlined ongoing evaluations for Family Hubs and support for effective EYPP spending by local authorities.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. their services overall alongside the delivery of individual elements. Evaluations will continue to be commissioned and led by independent evaluation teams. In December 2024 the department announced a 45% uplift to the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP), increasing the amount of EYPP to up to £570 per eligible child per year – additional support for the most disadvantaged children. The department is keen to ensure that EYPP spend is used effectively by providers to improve children’s outcomes. To this end the department has published guidance, for the first time, to support local authorities in ensuring spend is used effectively. The department has also worked with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) to support the development and launch of practical, evidence-informed advice for early years setting leaders on maximising the use of EYPP in their context - Early Years Pupil Premium | EEF. To expand the evidence base on EYPP the department will work with EEF to monitor the impact of the EYPP uplift who will commission an independent, comprehensive mixed- methods impact and process evaluation to explore the potential mechanisms linking EYPP uplift and supporting improved outcomes for disadvantaged children. The department is, in parallel, engaging with a number of local authorities to explore barriers to take up.