David Bell is right that increasing numbers of children begin their school lives greatly disadvantaged (Pandemic babies are arriving at school still wearing nappies. Where’s the plan to help them?, 5 January). We have known for some time, and prior to the Covid pandemic, that about a third of four-year-olds are ill-prepared to start school because of poor speech, language and social skills; and that this is largely the product of their family experiences. Labour’s priority should be providing long-term support for those families where children are at risk of underachieving, to ensure their readiness for school and that they have solid parental support throughout their school lives. High-quality and affordable early-years education is vital, but this should be seen as complementary to, and not a substitute for, the positive experiences children need in their home lives.
Chris Pratt
Author, Building a Learning Nation
