Nursery World - Coronavirus: Nurseries and childminders report widening attainment gap among disadvantaged under-fives

Nearly half of early years providers believe the gap between disadvantaged under-fives and their peers has grown during the pandemic, a survey suggests, with the majority finding that fewer children across all backgrounds are reaching expected pre-Covid levels of attainment.

Some early years settings have reported children's development has regressed, for example, needing help to put their shoes on

Findings from a survey carried out by the Early Years Alliance include worrying reports of regression in children’s development, such as losing ‘the ability to play independently’, expecting to be carried when they can already walk, and seemingly to have forgotten how to put their shoes on.

More than half (54 per cent) of respondents said that they observed negative changes in the learning and development of children when they returned to their setting after the first national lockdown (23 March – 1 June).

Personal, social and emotional development, and children’s communication and language were highlighted as areas of concern among the majority of respondents.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included