ONE in nine toddlers in Barnsley failed to meet key development milestones last year, new figures show.
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities figures show 89 per cent of 2,513 children aged between two and two-and-a-half in Barnsley reached the expected standard when they were assessed across five key development areas – up from 85 per cent the year before.
This proportion was the same as in 2019/20, the latest data before the coronavirus pandemic.
Across England, the proportion of young children developing as expected remained below pre-pandemic levels, despite rising slightly from 79 per cent to 80 per cent.
Before the pandemic, this figure had reached 83 per cent.
Vicky Nevin, policy manager at the NSPCC, said even before the pandemic, too many children were ‘overlooked’.
She added: “It’s vital that parents can access trusted advice and support from professionals during this time.
“However, too often maternity, health visiting and family hubs services are under-resourced and hard to reach for families.”
