These annual statistics report on teacher assessments of children’s development at the end of the early years foundation stage (EYFS), specifically the end of the academic year in which a child turns 5. This is typically the summer term of reception year. The assessment framework, or EYFS Profile, consists of 17 early learning goals (ELGs) across 7 areas of learning.
This is the fourth publication since the 2021/22 EYFS reforms (opens in new tab) were introduced in September 2021, in which the EYFS Profile was significantly revised. It is therefore not possible to directly compare assessment outcomes since 2021/22 with earlier years.
In 2024/25, over 2 in every 3 children or 68.3% had a good level of development and just over 2 in every 3 children or 66.9% were at the expected level across all 17 early learning goals (ELGs).
These percentages have increased in each of the three years since the EYFS reforms were introduced in 2021/22, from 65.2% and 63.4% respectively. Some of the increase may be attributable to gradual recovery from disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and practitioners having greater familiarisation with the new assessment framework, introduced in September 2021.
In 2024/25, each child, on average, had reached the expected level in 14.11 early learning goals, up slightly from 14.05 in 2021/22.
The government, in its opportunity mission (opens in new tab), has set a milestone of 75% of 5-year-olds reaching a good level of development by 2028; further information can also be found in the Department for Education policy paper on Giving every child the best start in life (opens in new tab). Progress towards this milestone is monitored through these official statistics.