Nursery World - A third of children not 'school-ready' for Reception

Nearly a third of children are not arriving ‘school-ready' for their first days at reception class and some are not even toilet trained, a survey suggests.

The research suggests alarming numbers of four- and five year-olds could be behind in a range of ways, including delayed speech and social skills.

Some of the 1,100 respondents to The State of Education survey, carried out by schools support service The Key, blamed mobile technology’s intrusion on family life and one primary school headteacher said, ‘Four-year-olds know how to swipe a phone but haven't a clue about conversations.’

The report highlights how 79 per cent of concerned teachers saw ‘lack of social skills’ as a top issue and 78 per cent said ‘delayed speech’.

‘Deficient self-help skills’ and lack of resilience was cited by 69 per cent of the school leaders.

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