Paul Barrows, chair of the Association of Infant Mental Health and a child psychotherapist, said that although there was regional variation, it was the "exception rather than the norm".
Many centres failed to actively treat very young children's mental health and emotional well-being, he claimed.
He said: "Many could have taken more opportunities to include programmes directed at the mental health needs of infants than they have.
"Much emphasis has been made on getting kids ready for school rather than addressing their mental health needs."
Recent research published by mental health charity Young Minds indicated that some centres were reluctant to embrace mental health issues due to parental perceptions of stigma around mental health.
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