The DfE’s decision to introduce an early years pupil premium was welcomed with open arms. But with opportunity comes challenge, as content lead Alex Masters discovers

Did you know that 90% of all brain development occurs by the age of five? Did you also know that recent research shows a 19-month gap in ‘school readiness’ between the most and least advantaged children? When viewing these statistics side-by-side, the implications are unsettling. Little wonder, then, that the DfE introduced the early years pupil premium (EYPP) earlier this year in a bid to improve education for disadvantaged three and four-year-olds. But, of course, with opportunity comes responsibility and schools will be rigorously held to account for closing this gap. The responsibilities are as daunting as they are vast: not only will you need to develop ways to use the funding effectively and creatively to support children’s learning and development but you will also have to evidence the impact. These demands will require identifying need, relevant strategies, prioritising, thorough budget planning, monitoring progress, interventions, data collection, pooling resources collaboration, parental engagement, evidencing impact to Ofsted… the list goes on.

Practical, research-based, high-impact strategies

Optimus Education’s conference next week could not be better timed. Early Years Pupil Premium: Closing the Gap & Evidencing Impact will address these challenges and offer expert advice.

Making effective use of the EYPP: 10 tips

1. Ofsted wants to see evidence that you are closing the gap. It’s all about the data.
2. The starting point is the barriers to learning for children who receive pupil premium funding.
3. You’ve got to have the courage of your convictions to spend the money on what you believe is right.
4. Don’t be afraid to be creative!
5. Remember you can’t solve all of the problems but have faith that you are making a radical difference.
6. Even if you only have a small number of children, don’t get complacent: if you’re not worried about them, Ofsted will make you worry!
7. Don’t ignore the Education Endowment Foundation toolkit.
8. Don’t forget to self-evaluate as often as you can. Keep stopping to reflect and question progress.
9. Don’t have unrealistic expectations. As admirable as it is to set high standards, you will not always succeed.
10. Do be sensitive to the possibility of stereotyping and stigma attached to children who are recipients of the early years pupil premium.