The proportion of children reaching child development goals by the end of the Reception year has increased slightly, according to government figures.

The percentage of children with a good level of development and at the expected level across for the 17 EYFS early learning goals increased by around two percentage points in 2022/23.

The EYFS profile results showed 67.2% of children had a good level of development, up from 65.2% the year before, while 65.6% were at a good level of development across all early learning goals, up from 63.4%.

Literacy was the area of learning with the lowest percentage of children reaching the expected level (69.7%) while physical development was the highest (85.2%). In terms of specific early learning goals, writing saw the lowest percentage of children reaching the expected level (71%) while gross motor skills had the highest (92.1%).

The Department for Education attributed the increase to gradual recovery from disruption caused by the pandemic, and practitioners’ greater familiarity with the new assessment framework, which was introduced in September 2021.

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said: “Today’s results show positive improvements and demonstrate the hard work and dedication of early education and care professionals around the country. It’s clear that they are supporting children’s development and early learning despite the disruption of the pandemic, reports of more children presenting with additional needs and a staffing crisis linked to chronic underfunding.”

She added: “Research evidence consistently shows that high quality early years provision has lifelong positive impacts on children’s education and life chances, enabling them to reach their full potential. But this area desperately needs more investment to maintain and improve this quality, including investing in staff training and learning resources.”