New analysis by the 'innovation agency' finds that on average, four- and five-year-olds starting school this month missed more than a quarter of their early years education due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It reveals that in 2019, the average four-year-old spent 25 hours a week at nursery – around three full days – in the year before they started school.
In comparison, it estimates that children starting Reception this month will have only spent an average of 18 hours a week at nursery – just over two full days.
Louise Bazalgette from Nesta, who leads projects aimed at improving school readiness for disadvantaged children, warned that children starting Reception are ‘likely to need additional support to help them adjust to the school environment and catch up on what they have missed due to nursery closures.’
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