Mounting evidence showing that very young children develop better whenlooked after by parents at home has placed a spotlight on theGovernment's policies for under twos. The latest evidence comes fromFamilies, Children and Child Care, which tracked the progress of 1,200children from north London and Oxfordshire.
The seven-year study, led by childcare expert Dr Penelope Leach andOxford University professors Kathy Sylva and Alan Stein, found that at18 months children who had been cared for full-time by their motherswere ahead on cognitive and language tests compared to those in anyother form of childcare.
Tiny but significant differences
Leach stresses these differences are "tiny", yet the researchers foundthat socio-emotional development - such as the ability to get on withother children or play happily alone - was "definitely, if notdramatically" less good for children in non-maternal care for 12 hoursor more a week.
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