But half (51%) still were not showing good development in 2008 at the end of the foundation stage, aged about five.
The weakest area was writing, with only 61% able to write their own names.
They were best at physical development (89% working securely), numbers (88%) and personal, social and emotional development (88%).
Girls generally continued to achieve at a higher level than boys, with a gender gap of at least six percentage points in each assessment area, according to England's Department for Children, Schools and Families.
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