Opinion

June O'Sullivan: Two young for school?

Caring for two-year-olds requires specifically trained staff supported by specialist leadership, so the policy to send them into schools is concerning, says the chief executive of LEYF nursery group.

It's a dark, wintry morning as mum creeps into a bedroom. In a cot, a little bottom is stuck up in the air with her knees tucked underneath her. ‘Morning little Daisy, it's time to get up.’ Daisy opens a sleepy eye, stretches her arm to pull her teddy and empty bottle towards her. She sucks on it. ‘My’, says Mum, ‘what a wet nappy you have. Let's get you changed and then we can put on your school uniform.’

No, this is not a scene from a 19th century novel about the Robert Owen factory school in 1813. It is modern-day policy for two-year-olds. ‘Oh, don't be so melodramatic’, I hear you say. ‘Three-year-olds are in school, so what's the difference?’

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