Effects of Covid-19 on families with children under five in Nottingham. Report prepared for Small Steps, Big Changes

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Harding, R. ORCID: 0000-0002-2328-0784 and Paechter, C. ORCID: 0000-0003-3050-5571, 2020. Effects of Covid-19 on families with children under five in Nottingham. Report prepared for Small Steps, Big Changes. Nottingham: Nottingham Centre for Children, Young People and Families; Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

This report is of a study of the experiences of families with children under five in Nottingham during the first Covid-19 lockdown.

Our study:
29 interviews with parents from 27 families: 27 women and 2 men, living in Nottingham – all but two in Nottingham city.
All families had at least one child under five.
Priority given to interviewing people in four SSBC wards.
Questions about how lockdown was for them and how they coped, and hopes for the future.
Also asked parents how they thought their child felt about lockdown.

Good experiences:
More time together and bonding as a family – especially important for fathers.
Benefits for child’s routine due to being at home during lockdown.
Benefits for younger children spending time with older siblings.
Some health professionals went out of their way to help families.
Move to telephone GP appointments often made attendance easier.
Some people got to know neighbours better.

Problems experienced:
Worry about themselves or their families catching Covid-19
Worry about finances.
Difficulties obtaining baby milk or nappies due to panic buying.
Lack of access to health care staff.
Lack of access to disability assessment, support, physiotherapy.
Isolation for both parents and children when groups cancelled.
Parents had no time to themselves.
Parents and children missed contact with extended family - this also meant some children lost access to heritage languages.
Working parents found it difficult to work from home and care for their children; some employers unsympathetic.
Children lost confidence with adults outside immediate family.
Children missed outside play and access to parks and play areas.