Nurseries 'creating thugs'

A major controversy erupted today over claims that nursery education can damage young children.

New research suggests that care in large groups may trigger serious behavioural problems among children as young as two and three.

Two wide-ranging studies into the effect of child care on infants found nursery care can lead to an increase

in anti-social behaviour and aggression.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in the US, which has been following the progress of more than 1,000 children since 1991, and a British study, the Effective Provision of Pre-school Education which focused on the impact of pre-school education on three- and four year olds, both came to similar conclusions.

The British study raised serious doubts about the benefits of nursery care. Accusing the Government of operating a "short-sighted policy", it said: "It's easier for an infant to catch up on cognitive skills later on, but they can't catch up on insecure attachment."

It suggested nursery staff were no substitute for motherhood, saying they were "more detached" and "less sensitive and responsive. In a strong signal that the Government is takingthe issue seriously, ministers are preparinga radical overhaul of maternity leave to make it easier for new mothers to care for infants at home.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke will today announce plans to explore the options for increasing statutory paid leave from the current provision of 26 weeks, possibly to as much as 52 weeks.

The plans will delight parents and family groups, who have waged a campaign for more state support for new mothers. But the proposal is opposed by business groups who fear it will have a devastating impact on small companies.

They are expected to insist the new allowances are not introduced for at least three years, to give businesses time to prepare.

The Government has ploughed millions of pounds into nursery care for young children,

massively expanding the number of places available at nursery schools. Under a key election pledge, all three-yearolds will be entitled to a place at nursery school.

Almost 70 per cent of new mothers now return to work before their baby's first birthday, compared with 24 per cent in 1981.

Although Mr Clarke will stop short of making a specific pledge on maternity leave, he will confirm that ministers will "explore the options" of introducing far more generous allowances.

Children's Minister Margaret Hodge has made it clear she wants maternity leave doubled.

Penelope Leach, co-director of Families, Children and Child Care, the British study of early years education, said: "It is fairly clear from data from different parts of the world that the less time children spend in group care before three years, the better.

"Infants spending as little as 12 hours a week in nurseries showed slightly lower levels of social development."