Letter: Effects of nursery education

Sir: Studies in the United States that indicate no adverse effect on children in day care are from highly unrepresentative, "showpiece programmes" and should not be confused with the typical day care experienced in real life Britain.

It is clear that when experts indicate that quality care means a high adult/child ratio, a quiet, uncrowded environment and the ability to form lasting relationships, they are, in effect, describing not day nurseries but the dedicated mother at home.

D Hinks

King's Lynn, Norfolk