Children in Newham are developing faster than the national average according to data collected from schools this summer.

Statistics for the borough’s Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) show that children’s development continues to outperform the country’s average.

On average, 69 per cent of Newham’s five-year-olds are making a “good level of development” compared to 66 per cent on average across the country.

These figures are up 14 percentage points since 2013 and four percentage points from last year.

Councillor Rev. Quintin Peppiatt, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Our EYFS results are extremely promising and show that the investment we have made in our children’s early years is paying off.”

He added that this is an important stage in a child’s life as it helps prepare them for school.

Children are deemed to have obtained a good level of development if they are achieving the “expected” level or “exceeding” the early learning goals in all prime areas; which are communication and language, physical development, personal social and emotional development as well as literacy and maths.

The EYFS framework sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well.

Cllr Peppiatt added that the package of support and learning provided “ensures that our young people’s progress is supported and their development, care and learning needs are met.”