Is the Government’s Big Child Development Push Real Progress Or Just Another Empty Promise?

In December 2024, the UK government dropped a new goal: by 2028, 75% of five-year-olds should hit a “Good Level of Development” by the end of Reception, up from 67.7% in 2023. On the surface, that sounds like a no-brainer. Of course we all want kids thriving, right?

But let’s cut through the fluff: Is this actually about helping kids or just another political soundbite that ignores the messy reality of our overstretched education system

What’s the Deal with “Good Level of Development”?

The GLD checklist measures how kids stack up in things like:

• Chatting clearly and understanding others
• Physical skills
• Playing nice with others
• Basic reading, writing, and counting.

It’s a useful snapshot of whether kids are ready for Year 1. The government wants 45,000 more kids hitting this mark yearly by 2028. But here’s the kicker: How? Magic? Wishful thinking?

Big Promises, Zero Roadmap

Let’s not kid ourselves—targets are easy. Fixing broken systems? Not so much. From my perspective, having worked with schools and nurseries for years, this feels like déjà vu.

• “We’ll Hire 6,500 Teachers!” Cool, but who are they? Are these teachers even trained for early years, or are we recycling burnt-out secondary school staff?
• Nurseries are drowning in staff shortages. What about the kids who are still in nappies (literally) before Reception?
• Pay’s a joke, turnover’s wild, and morale’s in the gutter. You can’t fix a leaky bucket by pouring in more water.

As Annemarie Staniforth, a recruitment coordinator with over 15 years of experience in the early years sector, put it bluntly:

"It's all well and good putting these plans into place, but without quality staff to implement them, you won’t get anywhere. The shortage of childcare workers is a real issue—people are leaving the sector because the pay and conditions just aren’t worth it anymore. Until we address that, all these grand plans are nothing more than words on paper."

Parents Are Stressed, Not Lazy

A recent survey hit hard:

• 44% of parents don’t think teaching kids to love books is their job.
• 24% reckon toilet training isn’t essential before school.

Here’s my take: parents aren’t slackers. Many are juggling three jobs or just surviving a cost-of-living crisis. If we want parents to prep kids, we need to support them, not shame them. Where’s the free parenting workshops? The simple guides? The actual help?

Kids Aren’t Widgets on an Assembly Line

The GLD’s rigid checklist bugs me. In my view, kids bloom at their own pace:

• Little Amira might struggle with numbers but build LEGO towers like an architect.
• Neurodivergent kids or those from disadvantaged homes often get left behind by these cookie-cutter metrics.

Are we measuring growth or just ticking boxes?

Show Me the Money (and the Plan)

If this were serious, we’d see:

• Cash for nurseries (not another “thoughts and prayers” budget).
• Training that actually respects early years staff (they’re not glorified babysitters).
• Parent support that’s more than a PDF pamphlet.

Right now? It’s all vibes, no plan.

The Real Question

Is this target about giving kids a fair start or just giving ministers a shiny headline?

In my opinion, if the government backs this with funding, training, and empathy? Huge win. If it’s just another empty promise? Then it’s just more pressure on teachers, more guilt for parents, and another generation of kids left behind.

What’s your take? Genuine change or political hot air? Let’s hear it, parents and educators.