Survey Exposes Alarming School Readiness Crisis Among Young Children
A recent survey has uncovered a concerning trend in early years education, revealing that a significant proportion of children are starting school without the fundamental skills required for a successful transition. The annual study conducted by the early years charity Kindred Squared highlights a growing crisis that is placing immense pressure on primary school staff and resources across the United Kingdom.
Children Confusing Books with Smartphones
The survey found that nearly one third of children who began reception classes last year were unable to use books correctly. In a striking indication of the digital age's influence, many of these young pupils attempted to swipe or tap the pages as if they were interacting with a smartphone or tablet. This behaviour underscores the pervasive impact of excessive screen time on early childhood development.
Staff estimates suggest that approximately 26% of reception class children this year are experiencing frequent toilet mishaps, with this figure rising to a concerning 36% in the North East of England. Additionally, around 28% of children started school unable to eat and drink independently, while 25% demonstrated difficulties with other basic life skills.
Systemic Issues Fuelling the Crisis
Felicity Gillespie, chief executive of Kindred Squared, described the situation as "a systemic crisis" driven by multiple factors. These include stretched school resources, low expectations, the rising cost of living, and parents who lack adequate information and understanding to properly support their children's development during the crucial early years.
The survey of 1,000 primary school staff members revealed that they estimate over one in three children (37%) are starting reception without being school ready. This represents a noticeable increase from the 33% reported in 2024, indicating a worsening trend rather than improvement.
Regional Disparities and Classroom Impact
More significant declines in school readiness were reported by teachers in the North East, West Midlands, and North West regions. The practical consequences for classroom time are substantial, with staff estimating they spend an average of 1.4 hours daily changing nappies or assisting children who are not toilet trained.
Furthermore, approximately 2.4 hours of teaching time is lost each day due to pupils lacking basic foundational skills. This represents a significant drain on educational resources that could otherwise be devoted to academic instruction and development.
Parental Perspectives and Government Response
In a parallel survey of 1,000 parents of four and five-year-olds, 88% believed their child was ready to start school this year, with 35% asserting their child was more prepared than most. However, nearly all parents (94%) expressed a desire for national guidance on ensuring their child achieves school readiness.
The government has established a target for 75% of children to be school ready by 2028. Recent Department for Education figures show that 68.3% of children were judged to have a good level of development by the end of reception in 2024/25, representing a slight increase from the previous year.
Investment in Early Years Support
In response to these challenges, the government has been focusing investment in early years education, distributing £12 million across 65 local areas to establish Best Start family hubs. These centres will offer parenting support and youth services designed to improve school readiness outcomes.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders' union NAHT, emphasised that "more support before children start school in the early years is crucial" for both pupils and families. He noted that parents can feel overwhelmed about where to begin and what to prioritise in preparing their children for school.
Early identification and intervention to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) would also make a substantial difference, with increasing SEND levels potentially contributing to these rising numbers of children struggling with school readiness.
