Mr Andrews announced in his speech that he would be reviewing the child development assessment profile for those youngest pupils entering the foundation phase for early years education.

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"It's more thought of as child care for when the parent needs it as opposed to the child's development and really helping prepare for early literacy skills that are going to be the foundation for school, " said Chang, director of Attendance Works, a Maryland-based initiative that mentors districts in fighting absenteeism.

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