Last October Channel 4 aired a documentary on ‘The Secret Life of Four Year Olds’; four is the age most crucial in a child’s development as they cross the threshold from family life into school. The tools of social interaction the children learn at this stage lay the foundations for relationships they will form across their adult lives. Dr Elizabeth Kilbey took part in the programme and recognises the need for the government to invest in better quality early learning. She is petitioning the government to ensure that there is an early years teacher in every nursery in England by 2020. Save the Children’s research has found that 1 in 5 children start primary school behind in basic language skills (1 in 3 of the poorest children). If a child starts school behind, they struggle to keep up and don’t achieve their potential. See also: