CHILDREN in Hillingdon are the least prepared in London to start school, according to figures released by the Department for Education last week.

Only 52% of children are performing to a ‘good’ level of development by the end of reception year, the lowest figure in London.

A ‘good level’ is judged as a child performing ‘at least at the expected level’ across several criteria, including maths and literacy.

The low results did not surprise Paul Bateman, head teacher of Belmore Primary School, Hayes, rated outstanding by Ofsted, who said there was a vast gap in wealth between the north and south of the borough.

He said: “What the children come in with is very low compared with the national average.

“We are in the middle of one of the most deprived areas in the borough and the lack of resources has an impact on the early development of children.”

Mr Bateman said early development was absolutely crucial and that parents were trying but often did not receive enough support.

He said: “There’s no instruction manual for being a parent. Sure Start centres were having a positive impact and pulling them was not a good move.”

Hillingdon Council is pleased the figures show an improvement on the previous year but accepts there is still work to do.

Cllr David Simmonds, cabinet member for children's services, said: "Figures show we are moving in the right direction, with overall performance levels at 52% of children reaching a good level of achievement in the key areas, an increase of 11% in the last year.

“There is work to do and we recognise the need to continue to focus on the area of literacy, to ensure outcomes are as high as possible.”

The Department for Education says it is improving the quality of its early-years education scheme, which guarantees 570 hours of free education to all children aged three and four in England, as well as some two-year-olds.

A spokesperson said: “In Hillingdon, around 1,600 children will be eligible for 15 hours a week free early education for two-year-olds, and we encourage parents to contact their council to see if they are eligible.”

To see if your child is eligible, visit https://www.gov.uk/free-early-education.