Early Years 

Our Early Years programme funds organisations in Greater London that support children (2-5 years old), facing socio-economic disadvantage. 

The programme aims to address the following outcomes: 

• Increasing children’s numeracy, literacy and language skills
• Improving school readiness (personal, social and emotional development) 

The attainment gap emerges in early childhood and develops and expands throughout a person’s lifetime. For children facing socio-economic disadvantage, the impact on their cognitive and socio-emotional skills and the difficulty for them to catch up if they fall behind, is stark. During the school years, these educational inequalities continue to grow affecting future learning and work prospects. 

Apply for funding

Our latest funding programme application 2024 – 2028 (Phase 2, Cohort 2) has now closed. 

Learning Partner 

The Education Policy Institute was the learning partner for Phase 1 of the Early Years Special Initiative. 

SQW is the learning partner for Phase 2. 

Read more on their Insights & Learnings here. 

Supported cohorts

Phase 1 (Cohort 1) – Chickenshed, National Literacy Trust and Scouts

Phase 1 (Cohort 2) – Ark, Catch Up and CLPE

Phase 1 (Cohort 3) –  National Children's Bureau, Peeple, Speech and Language UK and Tales Toolkit

Phase 2 (Cohort 1) – Campaign for Learning, Coram Family & Childcare, Early Education, Fatherhood Institute, National Day Nurseries Association and Youth Sport Trust 

Phase 2 (Cohort 2) – Chickenshed, Home Start London, Peeple, The Children's Literacy Charity, Discover Children's Story Centre, National Literacy Trust and Auditory Verbal