ABSTRACT
Clearly there are immense benefits to children when they interact with their peers and form friendships. Free early-years provision is now available in the UK for all 3-and 4-year-olds and currently round 97% of 4-year-olds and 87% of 3-year-olds are in some form of pre-school provision. But at what age before then are they ready to spend long periods of time away from their families? This is especially pertinent when mothers have to decide on the most appropriate age at which they can safely entrust their very young children to the care of others while they return to work after maternity leave.
