It’s no secret that needs in the early years are rising. Far more young children appear to be struggling developmentally and requiring extra input from adults than in the past. Since 2021, the proportion of four-year-olds in the universal entitlement who are registered with SEN has grown by 50 per cent and, further up the age range, the number of children being put forward for Education Care and Health Plans (EHCP) is rocketing. Professional associations link high rates of workforce attrition to related pressures on early years practitioners.
Leaders and decision makers in local and national government hear these concerns and many are worried about what it will mean for the future. How will needs develop as today’s under fives progress? And what will it mean for schools and wider support services?
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