• Analysis by innovation foundation Nesta finds that the gap in developmental outcomes between children on free school meals and their more affluent peers is the widest since the pandemic - even more so for boys
• While the number of children being school-ready is increasing, a quarter of local authorities remain far (at 65% or below children reaching a Good Level of Development) from meeting the government's 2028 goal
• Nesta will work with the government and local authorities, supporting them as they develop their strategic plans

London, UK - The gap between children on free school meals and their more affluent peers in ‘school-readiness’ is the widest since the pandemic - and even larger for boys, according to new analysis by innovation foundation Nesta.

The UK government's target is for 75% of 5-year-olds to reach a ‘Good Level of Development’ by 2028. Currently, 68.3% of children are reaching this milestone, a predictor of how ‘school ready’ they will be at age 5. Not meeting this could lead to challenges with key skills such as communication, literacy and mathematics.

Researchers at Nesta analysed progress against the target using the latest Early Years Foundation Profile (published November 2025), an annual dataset of children’s developmental milestones across the country.

The analysis reveals that despite a national upwards trend, persistent gaps in outcomes for children - based on their eligibility for free school meals, gender and where they live - remain.

Around half (51%) of children eligible for free school meals are set to be school-ready, compared to 72% of children that are not eligible. This gap, which has consistently been around 20 percentage points since 2012, has risen slightly from last year, making it the widest reported since the pandemic. It now stands at 20.5 percentage points, up from 19.5 percentage points in 2023/24.

The developmental gap is even more pronounced for boys. In 2024, 59% of girls eligible for free school meals reached a good level of development, compared to only 44% of boys.

The research also found that attainment gaps vary between local authorities. Eight of the ten local authorities with the smallest gaps are in London, with Hackney having the smallest gap (3%) between children eligible for free school meals and their peers. Some local authorities are closing this gap; Havering reduced the gap by 10 percentage points while South Tyneside has seen a reduction of 8 percentage points.

Just four local authorities have 75% (or more) of children reaching a Good Level of Development. In total, 53 local authorities are within 5 percentage points of the target, while 25 local authorities are 10 percentage points (or more) away and 6 local authorities are 45 percentage points (or more) away. Regions in the north of England continue to show the lowest rate of children reaching a Good Level of Development.

These results show that the proportion of children who reach this milestone must be radically improved to achieve the 2028 target of 75% nationally.

Lizzie Ingram, Mission Manager of Nesta’s fairer start mission said: “It is positive to see a slight increase in the share of children reaching a good level of development, but 3 in 10 children are starting school without the foundational skills necessary to flourish in reception and beyond. This is a stark reminder that local authorities need to be ambitious and strategic to close these attainment gaps and ensure that no child in England is left behind. They will need support to do so.

“Many local authorities are doing excellent work and all are operating in a very tough financial environment. We will continue working with them in pursuit of this goal, so that all children have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of family background, gender or where they live in the UK.”

Ends

Notes to editors

1. For more information on the analysis or to speak to one of the experts involved, please contact Bryony Ravate Media Officer, on 020 7438 2576 or [email protected]. Spokespeople are available for broadcast interviews.

About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation that designs, tests and scales solutions for the biggest challenges of our time.

Driven by a vision to improve the lives of millions of people, our focus up to 2030 is on three missions: breaking the link between family background and life chances, halving obesity and cutting household carbon emissions.

We work with partners to develop high-potential solutions and test them as they evolve, drawing on expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, data science, behavioural science and design.

Once confident in the effectiveness of a solution, we take it to scale. We create national policy proposals, develop consumer-facing products and services, build and spin out commercial ventures and harness the power of the arts.

We work with two specialised units: BIT applies a deep understanding of human behaviour to help clients achieve their goals. Challenge Works designs and runs challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society. Find out more at nesta.org.uk