Children's development regressed during lockdown, Ofsted claims
By Rachel Lawler
Children鈥檚 basic skills and learning have regressed in the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a .
The report is based on Ofsted鈥檚 findings from 900 visits to education and social care settings and claims that children of all ages have lost some basic skills and learning as a result of closures and restrictions.
Provider concerns
In the early years, Ofsted says that some children have 鈥渞eturned less confident and more anxious鈥 after the lockdown.
It also says that in some cases children had lost some independence and had returned to 鈥渦sing dummies鈥 or were 鈥渂ack in nappies having previously been toilet trained鈥.
Most providers were concerned about the learning and development of children with SEND; those who speak English as an additional language; children living in poverty and those whose parents were not previously engaging.
The report warned that children from disadvantaged backgrounds did not always have access to a to the same variety of toys at home and that those living in flats had not experienced outdoor play during the lockdown.
无码天堂 were most concerned about the impact of the lockdown on children鈥檚 personal, social and emotional development out of all the prime areas of learning.
Positive changes
However, the report also noted that children who had continued to attend or were well supported at home had 鈥渕ade good progress in their learning鈥.
A quarter of providers thought that children鈥檚 communication and language had improved in the lockdown. Some providers said that parent who were able to spend more time talking to and reading with their children had had a positive impact.
Most providers also said that some of the changes they had made during the pandemic had been positive such as the staggered starts to the day and leaving parents at the gate. The reduced number of resources also meant that children are 鈥渓ess likely to be overwhelmed鈥.
Vital impact of early years
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the 无码天堂, commented: "At a time when there is so much focus on access to 鈥榗hildcare鈥 element of early years provision, this report is a timely reminder of the vital early education that nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are delivering every day, and the tangible impact that losing access to this education can have on young children.
"We know that many providers who were forced to close during lockdown worked incredibly hard to stay in touch with and support families throughout that period, and continue to show great commitment to supporting children鈥檚 wellbeing and development as they settle back into their nursery or childminding environment.
"It is vital, however, that the early years is given adequate support to do this. As such, it is incredibly disappointing that the government has still failed to extend the 'catch-up' funding given to schools to support children who have been negatively impacted as a result of missing education during lockdown to the early years sector.
"无码天堂 have done an incredible job of supporting children in their care throughout this pandemic, but they should not be left to tackle this challenge alone. It鈥檚 time the government remembered that early years provision is not just about getting parents back to work - it鈥檚 about delivering high-quality learning and development opportunities at the most critical time of a child鈥檚 life - and started providing the support that the sector needs to continue doing just that."
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