One child in five starts primary school in England without the language skills they need to succeed, a figure that rises to one in three of the poorest children. This briefing paper presents new findings that show the real consequences for children who are struggling with their language skills. The government is committed to ensuring that every child leaves primary school with secure foundations in English and maths. The findings in this briefing re-emphasise the need to invest in good quality early years services and support for parents, so that every child has the basic skills they need to succeed at school. There is strong evidence that high-quality early education and childcare can help boost the early language skills of young children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.