The figures, which are based on practitioners' observations at the end of the reception year, show that in every area of learning more children are working securely within the early learning goals, which means they are achieving six or more points out of nine in each scale.
Girls continue to do better than boys across all assessment areas in the Early Learning Goals.
Physical development is the early learning goal where the majority of children do best, with 89 per cent of children achieving six points or more.
The largest rise in achievement has been in the communication, language and literacy (CLL) goal for linking sounds and letters, where 71 per cent of all children are working securely, compared with 65 per cent last year.
The proportion of children achieving six points or more in combined scales for CLL and personal, social and emotional development in deprived areas has risen from 35 per cent last year to 39 per cent. The number of children achieving this in other areas has also gone up from 52 to 55 per cent.
However, children scored the least when they were assessed for writing. This is also the area that shows the widest gap between boys and girls. Just 52 per cent of boys achieved six points or more, compared with 70 per cent of girls.
Independent early years consultant Margaret Edgington called for a review of the early learning goals and 'a re-think of how we educate our young children.'
She said, 'The fact only around half of children are doing well means the goals are not realistic for this age group. Some children may not even be five when they are assessed and others may be nearly six.'
Ms Edgington said she had heard of some reception classes where children were already having extra lessons in literacy.
It's so unhealthy. Local authorities are putting pressure on schools to meet targets and teachers are being pushed.'
FS PROFILE SCORES
Percentage of children working securely 1,2 in each area of learning in
maintained schools and private, voluntary and independent providers by
area of learning, 2007-2008, England
Percentage of children achieving six or more in: 2007 2008
PSED (in all 3 scales) 71 72
CLL (in all 4 scales) 49 53
PSE and CLL combined (in all 7 scales) 46 49
Children in 30% most deprived areas 35 39
Children in other areas 52 55
Difference between deprived/other areas 17 16
Mathematical Development (in all 3 scales) 67 68
KUW (1 scale) 77 79
Physical Development (1 scale) 88 89
Creative Development (1 scale) 78 79
1. Children achieving 6 or more points in all scale(s) within an area of
learning are working securely in that assessment area.
2. The figures are based on children for whom it was possible to
establish an area of residency.
The figures are derived from full child level data reported by local
authorities.
Source: FSP full child collection (2007 and 2008)