> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# One in five Suffolk toddlers missing key development milestones
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/one-in-five-suffolk-toddlers-missing-key-development-milestones/
- Published: 2025-02-13T13:29:07.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:21:51.000Z
- Description: Suffolk's toddler development rates remain below pre-pandemic levels, with 20% failing to meet expected standards last year.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Early Years Education, #article, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**Why it matters:** The figures highlight ongoing concerns about child development support services, with a leading children's charity warning that under-resourced family hubs are preventing parents from accessing crucial help.

**By the numbers:**

- 80% of Suffolk toddlers met expected standards across five key development areas
- This represents a slight improvement from 78% the previous year
- Current rates remain significantly below the pre-pandemic figure of 91%
- The assessment covered 5,636 children aged between two and two-and-a-half years

![Young children playing with a number puzzle](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1724405901-toddlers-at-playgroup-1.jpg)

Young children playing with a number puzzle (Getty Images)

**The bigger picture:** The trend mirrors a national pattern, with England's overall development rates still lagging behind pre-Covid levels:

- 80% of toddlers nationally met expected standards, up from 79%
- This remains below the pre-pandemic rate of 83%

**What they're saying:** "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," said Vicky Nevin, policy manager at the NSPCC.

**For context:** Regional variations show significant disparities across England:

- East of England achieves 85% development rate
- Yorkshire and The Humber leads with 86%
- London records the lowest rate at 75%
- Individual authorities range from 23% in Ealing to 95% in Wokingham

**The bottom line:** NSPCC is calling for government action to address nationwide shortages of 2,500 midwives and 5,000 health visitors, warning of a "postcode lottery" in support services.

### Independent local journalism is expensive to produce

It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners.