Research shows Sure Start significantly boosted disadvantaged children鈥檚 GCSE results, IFS says
by Jess Gibson
New research from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) released today shows that Sure Start had a positive impact on the educational performance of children from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds.
The research, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, provides the first evidence of how Sure Start affected children鈥檚 educational outcomes up to age 16.
Children eligible for free school meals living near a Sure Start centre increased their performance at GCSE by three grades relative to similarly poor children who were not able to access Sure Start.
The research supports growing international evidence demonstrating that well-designed, well-funded intervention in early childhood can lead to long-term educational benefits.
Co-author of the report and IFS research economist Nick Ridpath said: 鈥淪ure Start generated substantial benefits for disadvantaged children throughout their education, helping to close the disadvantage gap in attainment. Centres with more resources generated much larger benefits, partly because the extra funding allowed them to reach out to families who were less likely to engage with Sure Start but who stood to benefit a lot.
鈥淭he return on investment in integrated early years services that are given the resources to reach those most in need can be very large.鈥
Commenting Neil Leitch, CEO of the 无码天堂, said: "This study makes clear just how vital children's centres are, not just as a places where families can go for advice and guidance, but also as a source of vital learning opportunities that support children's long-term development and, as this research shows, improve their life chances.
"It is all the more concerning, therefore, that we have seen so many centres close over recent years. While the government鈥檚 new programme of family hubs is undoubtedly welcome, with the current rollout limited to 75 local authorities, it鈥檚 very difficult to see how the plans will compensate for the sheer scale of children's centre closures that have taken place over recent years. 鈥
"If the government is truly committed to closing the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their wealthier peers, then it's clear that extending this programme to ensure that all families, no matter where they live, can access these vital services is a critical first step."