THE Essex area with the lowest percentage of youngsters below school age achieving a good level of development in 2024 and the only area below the national average is set to get targeted support to improve outcomes reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

District performance ranges from Harlow where 65.8% of pre-school youngsters recorded a good level of development in 2024 to Uttlesford where 74 per cent did.

Essex County Council says that whilst this gap of 8.2 per cent is still something to work on, the gap is much lower than at other key stages and has reduced significantly since 2022.

Eleven of 12 districts in the Essex County Council administrative area are performing above the England average of 67.7 per cent.

Harlow sits below that benchmark. However it is hoped It is hoped that phase two of the Harlow Futures programme, soon to be launched, will support young children with speech and language development and boost development of youngsters.

Early Years settings, pre-schools and childminders will be offered certain programmes to best suit the sector they work in.

Carolyn Terry, Essex County Council’s early years and childcare commissioner for sufficiency and sustainability, said: “We are just about to launch our Harlow futures programme as part of the levelling up work and that has been based on the work we have done on Canvey Island and north of the county to great success.

“So this will be addressing performance and about how we can really support everyone in the system and helping the children.”

Working in partnership with Harlow Council, local education leaders and Harlow College, Essex County Council launched its Harlow Futures project in January 2022.

The first phase focused on mental health and wellbeing.

Primary settings choose interventions or programmes based on their needs, while secondary schools and Harlow College run programmes to support emotional and mental wellbeing.

Students were given access to resources, curriculum enrichment and expert advice and guidance. Development and learning opportunities were also available for teaching staff and support staff.

Phase two will focus on early speech, language, and communication skills. This will help to support children in early years edducaion as they prepare to start school.

Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Communities and Business Engagement, said: “I’m really pleased to see the second phase of the Harlow Futures project get underway.

‘‘Strong speech and language development is an essential part of preparing young children for school, and play a crucial part in their progress. The second stage of the programme will ensure they have the fundamental skills they need to reach their full education potential.”

Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, Councillor Tony Ball said: “This project will make a real difference to young people in Harlow.

“By reaching children at a young age we can help make sure they have the tools to succeed in whatever path they choose in life, supporting their overall educational outcomes and future aspirations.”

Councillor Danielle Brown, Harlow Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Community and Wellbeing, said: “We are delighted to be one of the partners in the Harlow Futures programme. This is going to change the lives of local families by supporting young children at an important time in their development.

“My son received speech and language therapy from an early age, and I cannot stress how important this was for his development.

“By working with Essex County Council and other partners we want to ensure that our children and young people get access to all the support they need to help them now and into the future.”