One in three Rotherham children not school-ready, report warns
Around one in three children in Rotherham are not reaching expected development levels by the time they start school, according to a new council report.
The report shows that 65 per cent of five-year-olds in the borough achieved a ‘good level of development’ last year, meaning around 35 per cent did not meet the benchmark by the end of Reception.
The figures are below the national average of 68 per cent.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has now drawn up a best start plan aimed at improving early childhood development and tackling inequalities affecting young children over the next three years.
The plan sets a target for 73 per cent of five-year-olds in the borough to reach a the good level of development standard by 2028.
A Good Level of Development is a key measure used in schools to assess whether children have reached expected levels in areas including communication, literacy, physical development and emotional wellbeing.
The report says literacy and communication skills are among the biggest barriers preventing children from reaching the benchmark.
It also highlights wider social challenges affecting children in the borough, as children from disadvantaged backgrounds are significantly less likely to reach the development target.
The council’s plan includes more support for families, better access to nursery education and extra help for children with speech and language development.
It also aims to improve early identification of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with demand for support continuing to rise.
Cabinet members will be asked to approve the plan at a meeting later this month.