The government intends to extend the existing pilots of free childcare for two-year olds from poor families over the next three years.

The extension will mean a total of 20,000 children will be offered free childcare.

The Children’s Plan also calls for greater joint working between Key Stage 1 teachers and early years professionals, emphasising that both should work towards the Early Years Foundation Stage outcomes.

The government will also seek to smooth the divide between early years and primary education, so that the curriculum and teaching methods are more in tune with one another.