New data reveals a growing school readiness crisis in England and Wales, with nearly 40% of children starting reception without basic life skills. The annual survey by Kindred², a charity focused on early years, found that 37% of children are not school-ready, up from around a third in previous years. Teachers report that many four- and five-year-olds lack toileting, feeding and self-care skills, requiring significant support during the school day.
Felicity Gillespie, chief executive of Kindred², described the situation as a national crisis. Teachers surveyed said that on average, 1.4 hours per day – equivalent to a full school day each week – is spent helping children with toileting needs. This lost teaching time affects not only those children but also their classmates, as teachers report higher stress and lower morale.
The report links the crisis to rising living costs, longer working hours, and cuts to early years services such as Sure Start and health visitors. One reception teacher quoted in the survey noted that children are often dropped off at 7.30am and picked up at 6pm, leaving little time for parents to focus on basic skills. Gillespie said parents cite increased pressure from the cost of living and reduced access to support services.
Children who start school without these skills are less likely to reach a good level of development by the end of the year, and many struggle to catch up. The disruption also affects entire classes, with less time for structured learning. The findings highlight the long-term impact of coalition-era austerity cuts in more deprived areas, exacerbating inequalities.
