A startling revelation has emerged from a survey of teachers in England, indicating that a concerning number of children are entering school without essential toilet training. The survey, conducted by the early years charity Kindred Squared, reveals that approximately one in four children starting reception in 2025 were not toilet trained, a figure that rises to over one in three in the north-east. This alarming statistic has sparked concerns about the growing struggle among pupils with fundamental life skills.
The survey also uncovered that 28% of children were unable to eat and drink independently, and 25% were grappling with other basic life skills. Kindred Squared's findings further highlight a disturbing trend: 28% of pupils were not able to use books correctly, mimicking the behavior of swiping or tapping pages like a phone or tablet. These insights come at a time when the government is striving to enhance the proportion of children starting reception who are 'school ready,' encompassing developmental milestones such as basic language skills, independent eating, toilet training, and dressing.
However, Kindred Squared's survey of 1,000 primary school staff revealed a more dire situation than anticipated. A staggering 37% of children were deemed not school ready, a significant increase from 33% in 2024. The most acute declines in school readiness were reported by teachers in the north-east, West Midlands, and north-west. Staff estimated that they were spending 1.4 hours a day changing nappies or assisting children who were not toilet trained, resulting in a total loss of 2.4 hours of teaching time each day due to the lack of basic skills.
Felicity Gillespie, the chief executive of Kindred Squared, emphasized the critical nature of the situation, stating that 37% of children are arriving at school without the essential life skills needed to engage with the curriculum. She attributed this crisis to stretched school resources, low expectations, the rising cost of living, and parents who lack the necessary information and understanding to support their children's development. The government has set a target for 75% of children to be school ready by 2028, but the latest figures from the Department for Education (DfE) indicate a slight increase in the proportion of children reaching a good level of development by the end of reception in 2024-25, at 68.3%.
Excessive screen time for both children and adults was identified as a significant factor by over half of the staff surveyed, contributing to children not being ready for school. In contrast, a survey of 1,000 parents of four- and five-year-olds revealed a different perspective, with 88% believing their child was ready to start school this year. However, a notable 35% of parents expressed that their child was more ready than most, and almost all parents (94%) welcomed national guidance on preparing children for school.
Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the school leaders' union NAHT, echoed the concerns of his members, stating that school leaders are reporting an increasing number of children starting school without basic 'school readiness' skills, including toilet training. Pepe Di'Iasio, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, acknowledged the existence of a significant problem with children not being ready for school when they start reception.
The government has been prioritizing early years investment as part of its opportunity mission, allocating £12 million across 65 local areas to establish Best Start family hubs offering parenting support and youth services. However, Di'Iasio also noted that while the expansion of family and childcare is welcome, it is not a quick fix after 15 years of decline in local support services. A DfE spokesperson acknowledged the challenge, emphasizing the government's commitment to ensuring that tens of thousands more children start school ready to learn and take action to make this a reality.
