Children are not experiencing a positive start to their maths education, according to a new report.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Maths and Numeracy says that far too many pre-schools and nurseries are failing to deliver the essentials early on.

It found, for example, that in 2013/14, 28 per cent of children did not meet the standards expected at the end of the early years foundation stage for maths.

This causes a knock-on effect, as other studies have shown that those who fall behind so early on in life will struggle to catch up throughout their journey in education.

The APPG for Maths and Numeracy has called on all stakeholders to do more to transform the way maths is taught – they want a "better trained and qualified workforce that inspires a 'can do' attitude".

"Far too many young children in this country struggle with maths and numeracy," commented Caroline Dinenage co-chair of the APPG.

"This leaves them playing a game of catch up for the rest of their lives; a game most of them end up losing. As this report sets out we need a greater focus on maths and numeracy in the early years."

She concluded by saying that so long as teachers provide youngsters with a "good grounding" early on in their education, they will be set up to succeed at all levels of education and in their future careers.

Some of the recommendations made by the group include getting the government to focus more on maths and numeracy in the early years curriculum; boosting the maths skills of all relevant teachers in pre- and primary schools; and offering parents better support to develop their own children's maths skills.

"We really do need a drive to create more positive attitudes to maths so that early years staff – and parents – pass on the right messages," said Mike Ellicock, chief executive of the independent charity National Numeracy.