Room for improvement

During their early months in daycare, babies and young children are likely to spend their time with others of similar ages, often up to about 18 months old. The greatest strides in physical, intellectual, social and emotional development occur during these first 18 months of a child's life.

This transition from being a totally dependent and virtually immobile infant, to someone who is both mobile and independent, necessitates an environment that supports these rapid and progressive stages of growth.

To create the best possible environment for children this age, early years practitioners would do well to consider some important aspects of good practice: Dividing children by age is far from ideal. A truly child-centred approach would instead arrange them in family groups. In this way older children learn the practical life skills and confidence of looking after younger ones, who, in turn, imitate the behaviour and internalise the skills and attitudes of their elders. But until policy decisions are taken to integrate all ages under five in childcare in Britain, early years practitioners will continue to divide children in this way.