Nurseries are seeing an increasing number of children with speech and language difficulties, mental health issues and behavioural problems. Earlier this year, Ofsted research found providers are making more referrals for external support with communication and language development than before the pandemic, and waiting longer for specialist help. Meanwhile, government figures show the number of families seeking Education, Health and Care plans rose by 23 per cent in 2022.
‘In the last few years we have seen an increase in the number of children with complex special needs coming through mainstream nursery,’ says Carol Daly, manager and SENCO at La Petite Academy nursery in Derby. ‘There are more children diagnosed with autism at a younger age than in the past.’ Communication and language difficulties are also common.
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