THERE is a fairly widespread agreement that early years are an essential period in which a child’s pathway in life is often set.

Disadvantaged children – whether that relates to the inter-related factors of poverty, health, housing or other more specific issues such as witnessing domestic violence, special educational needs or even summer-born children – require additional assistance to address those barriers in their formative years.

It is therefore particularly concerning in a report commissioned by Sir Michael Wilshaw that the attainment gap in York at the age of five between children eligible for school meals and those not eligible is so high.

While it has improved, only 50 per cent of disadvantaged children show a good level of development while in comparison, 71 per cent of non-disadvantaged children do.

This may be partly linked to the low percentage of eligible disadvantaged two years old taking up funded childcare. Comparative to most other local authorities, York’s performance of 68 per cent is low.

The responsibility for take-up has been passed to local authorities.

While I have no doubt the issues are far more complex than simple stats, it would be fantastic if York’s coalition could follow the example of other local authorities and appoint a designated elected member with responsibility for disadvantaged early year education.

Richard Bridge, Holgate Road, York