The Born in Wales study has released its initial findings from its new Nursery Age survey, offering a snapshot of life for children aged 3-5 and their families across Wales.
With 316 responses, this survey reveals an encouraging picture of family health, well-being, and development while identifying areas for future focus.
Key findings:
- Health: Most children are brushing their teeth twice daily (78.8%) and visiting the dentist (80.7%), while almost all families report being happy with their child’s development (94%).
- Development: Since starting nursery, parents have seen remarkable positive changes in their child’s social skills (93%), language development (85%), and health and fitness (73%).
- Family Engagement: Shared family routines are strong, with 95% of families eating meals together and 99% reading with their child.
The survey also shines a light on children’s activity levels, with 31% active for more than four hours daily and the majority having access to safe outdoor spaces to play (88.6%).
The infographic below shows the findings from the first 316 responses.
Lead researcher Hope Jones reflected on the significance of these findings: “The results show how vital nursery education and family engagement are in shaping children’s development. At the same time, the data highlights areas where more support could make a big difference, helping to inform future policy and practice.”
The Born in Wales Nursery Age Survey is part of a broader birth cohort study, which is part of the Centre for Population Health. By understanding the evolving needs of families, the study aims to inform targeted policies to improve health, well-being, and education outcomes for children growing up in Wales.
Find out more about the Born in Wales study here.