Dagis ger upphov till antisocialt beteende bland barn

Labour's drive to put toddlers in childcare so mothers can go out to work is damaging a generation, the Government's own research showed yesterday.

Young children who spend long hours in nurseries are more disruptive and anxious than infants mainly looked after at home by their mothers. The earlier they go to nursery, the worse their behaviour becomes.

Toddlers left in daycare for at least 30 hours a week are "significantly" more likely to bully other children, tease them, call them names and demand their own way.

But they also became worried and upset. They were more prone to pouting, frowning and stamping their feet if asked to try a new activity and to worry about not getting enough food, drink or toys.

The explosive findings, arising from the first study of its kind, blow holes in a decade of Government policy which has massively expanded childcare to encourage more parents back to work

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The findings prompted critics to describe Britain's growing culture of "institutionalised" childcare as a "tragedy" for youngsters.

Cecily Hanlon, who sparked a debate on childcare at a teachers' conference yesterday, warned the country would pay the price with a rise in anti-social behaviour.

Children were already killing other children with guns and knives, she said.

"The message coming from the Government now is that as soon as you have had your baby, find your childcare, we will provide it and off you go" she said.

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"In contrast to the positive influence of centre-based provision on children's sociability and confidence, it seems that the amount of time children spent in their childcare centres can also increase problem behaviour.

"Children who attended for more time every week were rated as more anti-social by their care-givers than those who attended for less time. "Children who attended for at least 30 hours and/or three days every week were rated as more anti-social, for example more likely to tease other children and call them names, prevent other children from carrying out routines or be bossy and need their own way.

"In addition, children who attended for at least 35 hours and/or five days each week displayed more worried and upset behaviours." Younger children put in groups with older toddlers exhibited less "emotional security" than those looked after with peers of the same age.

Research from the US has suggested that anti-social behaviour linked with long hours in daycare as a toddlers persists at least into primary school.

The latest findings raised dramatic new doubts over Government efforts to encourage more mothers back to the workplace. ¹

Det absolut bästa och mest naturliga alternativet är att modern tar hand om de barn som hon har satt till världen. Det mår både moder och barn bra av.