Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today urged the SNP-Green government to introduce a new Nursery Premium and fresh support for children from poorer backgrounds, as new figures showed that the number of children flagged as having developmental concerns has risen to record highs.
The figures from Public Health Scotland published today show:
Mr Cole-Hamilton said:
“We all want Scotland's children to grow up in the best environment possible, but these figures reveal record numbers of children are showing developmental concerns.
“The pandemic saw a dramatic rise in these concerns but rather than invest to support families ministers have fallen short.
"The government must put in place extra support for all those starting school who have had a developmental concern noted.
“I also want the Scottish Government to finally listen to my party's calls to extend the successful pupil premium to nursery level so that children from the poorest backgrounds can get the help they need as early as possible."