Disadvantaged children

The Department for Education identifies disadvantaged children as those eligible for free school meals, looked-after children, or children with parents in the armed forces. These children are considered disadvantaged due to low family income, little or no family support, or frequent school moves.

The government provides funding, the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) and Pupil Premium (PP), to help schools and settings implement interventions to close the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

During an Ofsted inspection, inspectors will track the progress and achievement of at least two children accessing the EYPP and evaluate how well leaders use the additional funding to improve the children's outcomes.

Top tips for closing the gap with children at risk of disadvantage include introducing them to nursery rhymes, high-quality books, cooking activities, malleable materials, cultural experiences, visiting visitors, traditional games, role play opportunities, hand/eye co-ordination skills, self-care skills and the natural world.

Research shows that the home learning environment is one of the main impacts on narrowing the gap for disadvantaged children.

Further information on making the most effective use of EYPP can be found at:Making effective use of Early Years Pupil Premium - Early Education (early-education.org.uk)