The Early Years Professional Development Programme is a key element of the national government initiative to improve children’s outcomes in early language, literacy and mathematics. Launched in September 2019, it aims to provide high-quality, evidence-based professional development support for Early Years Practitioners in pre-Reception settings.

It is specifically targeted at Early Years Practitioners who work with the most disadvantaged children between the ages of 2 and 4 years, with an emphasis on improving school readiness. It is anticipated that 60,000 children will be reached by this Programme.