Nursery World - Who cares?

In a controversial new book, psychologist Steve Biddulph argues that under-threes should not go to nurseries. He explains his position, while former NDNA chief executive Rosemary Murphy (overleaf) defends changing childcare First, I would like to say that there is a definite place for nurseries, and that they fulfil a vital role. What I am concerned about, and the weight of research is also pointing out, is that parents are misusing nurseries, or overusing them, and as a result very young children are not getting what they need to grow up happy and well.

First, I would like to say that there is a definite place for nurseries, and that they fulfil a vital role. What I am concerned about, and the weight of research is also pointing out, is that parents are misusing nurseries, or overusing them, and as a result very young children are not getting what they need to grow up happy and well.

In fact, this is something that nursery and daycare staff have been telling me for 20 years. I have interviewed many childcare workers around the world for Raising Babies - Should under-3s go to nursery?, and they are very honest - in remarks from 'I don't know why some of these parents have children in the first place', to 'I hate it when they bring these tiny babies, they shouldn't be here'.

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