Nearly 40% of children in England and Wales are starting school without basic life skills, according to a new survey by Kindred². Reception teachers report spending an average of 1.4 hours each day—equivalent to a full school day per week—on toileting, feeding, and other care tasks that children previously managed independently.
The survey, which polled teachers and parents, reveals a steady rise in the proportion of children deemed not 'school ready', from around one-third in 2023 and 2024 to 37% this year. Felicity Gillespie, chief executive of Kindred², described the situation as a 'national crisis', with consequences for both affected children and their classmates.
Teachers warn that children who start reception without basic skills are far less likely to reach a good level of development by year-end, and often struggle to catch up. The disruption also affects whole classes, with staff reporting higher stress and less time for structured learning as they are repeatedly pulled away to manage care needs.
The report links the crisis to rising living costs, longer working hours, and cuts to early years services such as Sure Start and health visiting. One 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 teach essential skills.
Gillespie said parents consistently cite increased financial pressure and reduced access to support services as key factors. The findings come amid broader concerns about the impact of austerity-era cuts on early childhood development, particularly in deprived areas.
