CHILDREN are arriving at school still wearing nappies, using buggies and unable to communicate properly with their classmates, the former children's commissioner for England has said.
Anne Longfield warned that too many young children are being "held back" as they are not receiving the support needed to boost their "school readiness".
The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated many early years developmental problems - especially for vulnerable children, according to the report from her Centre for Young Lives think tank and the Child of the North campaign.
The report warned of a "crisis" in preschool provision.
Ms Longfield, executive chair of the Centre for Young Lives, said: "I have heard many concerning experiences from school staff about children arriving at reception wearing nappies, still using buggies and unable to communicate at the expected level or to socialise with other children.
"Some of these children have developmental problems, struggle with speech and behaviour, and can require significant extra attention and support from already overstretched schools."
A Government source said: "This Labour Government is focused on fixing the foundations and rebuilding Britain, beginning the work of rolling out school-based nurseries, implementing early speech and language interventions, and driving forward the child poverty taskforce."
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