Nursery World - Ofsted finds impact of Covid on learning and development of 'almost all children'

Ofsted’s annual report for 2020/21, published today, highlights the impact of the pandemic on children and staff working in early years, schools and colleges.

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted chief inspector

Chief inspector Amanda Spielman wrote, ‘Almost all children felt the impact of Covid-19 and the resulting restrictions to some extent. Many of the youngest children had their development and progress hampered, with some even regressing. Given the vital importance to children of a good start in life and the learning potential of the youngest children, this must not be overlooked.

‘In primary and secondary schools, children struggled with a hokey-cokey education: in the classroom, at home, separated in bubbles, isolating alone.’

The annual report highlights research carried out by Ofsted published last December, on the impact of the first lockdown on children, with 44 per cent of providers reporting that children’s personal, social and emotional development had fallen behind.

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