Almost 40% of children are starting school unprepared, causing teachers to spend valuable time on tasks like potty training, a concerning study reveals. According to Kindred Squared’s annual survey, 37% of kids entered reception lacking essential skills last year, up from 33% in 2024.
Teachers are losing 2.4 hours of teaching daily, with 1.4 hours dedicated to non-toilet-trained children, leading to issues like nappy changes and accidents. Primary school educators reported that 28% of students couldn’t eat or drink independently, 25% struggled with basic language abilities, and 26% were not toilet trained.
The study highlighted widening school readiness gaps nationwide, especially in regions like the North East, West Midlands, North West, and London. In the North East, the percentage of non-toilet-trained kids reached as high as 36%.
Despite these challenges, 88% of parents believe their children are prepared for school. However, teachers are feeling overwhelmed by the added responsibility of basic care, leading to high stress levels and low morale, as per the early years charity.
Over half of educators blamed excessive screen time for poor school readiness. The government is set to release updated guidelines on screen time for under-fives in April. Kindred’s research revealed that 94% of parents desire national school readiness guidance.
Keir Starmer aims to have 75% of five-year-olds “school ready” by 2028. To support this goal, Best Start Family Hubs are being introduced nationwide to assist with parenting skills, early development, and childcare.
Felicity Gillespie, CEO of Kindred Squared, expressed concern over the increasing number of children lacking basic skills upon entering school. She emphasized the need for better parental support, improved school resources, and a focus on early childhood development.
NAHT’s general secretary, Paul Whiteman, stressed the importance of early support for children and families to alleviate the pressures felt by parents and enhance outcomes for pupils, especially those with special educational needs.
Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, echoed concerns about the lack of cohesive early support systems in the country, emphasizing the need for accessible and well-funded services to aid children’s development and assist parents.
The Department for Education emphasized their efforts to address child poverty and improve school readiness through initiatives like funded childcare, Best Start Family Hubs, and guidance on screen time. While progress has been made, they acknowledged the ongoing challenge of ensuring every child has a strong start in life.
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