Ready to Read: Closing the gap in early language skills so that every child in Wales can read well

Firm foundations in early language skills are critical to breaking the cycle of educational inequality – and to improving the wider life chances of the poorest children.

This report sets out how high-quality services and support for families can help overcome the impact of poverty, highlighting the potential for services, including early learning, health visiting and libraries – to support young children’s language development. And it explains why this potential is not always fulfilled.

Ready to Read argues for a decisive shift towards early action and investment. It sets out three priorities for the Welsh government:

1. investing further in the quality of the early education workforce
2. strengthening support for parents
3. strong and ambitious leadership for children.