Almost 40% of young children are arriving at school unprepared, leading to significant time wastage for teachers, a new study reveals. Research by Kindred Squared shows that 37% of kids entered reception lacking fundamental skills, a noticeable increase from 33% in the previous year.
Teachers are losing approximately 2.4 hours daily, with 1.4 hours spent on tasks related to unprepared children, such as assisting with toilet needs. Concerningly, 28% of children are arriving without the ability to feed themselves, 25% are struggling with basic language skills, and 26% are not yet toilet trained.
Disparities in school readiness are growing nationwide, particularly in regions like the North East, West Midlands, North West, and London. The study found that in the North East alone, up to 36% of children were not toilet trained.
Despite these challenges, 88% of parents believe their children are ready for school. Teachers are expressing stress and low morale due to the additional responsibilities of basic care provision, with over half suggesting that parents should not send unprepared children to Reception.
The excessive screen time of children is highlighted as a significant factor impacting school readiness, with more than half of educators attributing poor readiness to this issue. The government is set to release updated guidelines on screen time for children under five in April.
Parents are calling for national guidelines on school readiness, with 94% expressing the need for such support. Political figures like Keir Starmer have set ambitious targets to improve school readiness, aiming for 75% of five-year-olds to be adequately prepared by 2028. Efforts are underway to establish Best Start Family Hubs countrywide to assist with parenting skills and early childhood development.
The CEO of Kindred Squared, Felicity Gillespie, emphasized the urgency of addressing the school readiness crisis, attributing it to a combination of parental knowledge gaps, strained school resources, and economic pressures. Education leaders stress the importance of early support for families and children, advocating for interventions to aid children with special educational needs (SEND).
Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, echoed concerns over the lack of comprehensive early support systems in the country and expressed hope for a new approach through ongoing initiatives like the Best Start in Life strategy.
The Department for Education acknowledged ongoing efforts to combat child poverty and enhance early childhood support through various initiatives. While progress is evident, with a slight increase in children reaching a good level of development, challenges persist, underscoring the need for sustained action to ensure every child receives a strong start in life.