Nurseries bad for young children

Briefing: these scientific findings can no longer be ignored: except by the Government, which wants to corral mothers into the work-place, and their babies into creches. Until the work done by mothers at home is given its proper valuation, children will continue to suffer. (Beverly Hughes: 'Don't confuse me with facts!') Government incentives have ensured 97% of three-year-olds are in nurseries.

From the Telegraph (in part): Last year, research by Prof Michael Lamb, of Cambridge University, found that nurseries caused distress to young children.

He found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol doubled in youngsters during the first nine days of child care without their mothers present and continued to be much higher among children five months after starting nursery compared with those who stayed at home. However, Beverley Hughes, the children's minister, said: "We know that high quality early learning makes a real difference to children's development with lasting effects throughout primary school. I'm delighted that so many parents are taking up this offer - they are giving their children the best start and helping them in the long term by boosting their communication, language and social skills."

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