Parents are struggling to ensure their children are ready to start school, according to Kindred2’s most recent annual school readiness survey. 

According to the report, 9 in 10 parents believe their children are ready to start school while teachers are reporting it’s nearer to half, with too many children starting school unable to communicate clearly, eat independently, and not toilet trained. 

Eighty percent of teachers say that they are now teaching more school readiness skills, such as language (72%) and personal hygiene (60%), in Reception classrooms.  

Felicity Gillespie, Director of Kindred2, said:  

Too many children are behind before they begin because as a nation we are not prioritising the raising of children at the very time in their lives when their brains are most receptive to stimulation and interaction with older children and adults.

Why are so many children not meeting their early developmental milestones? 

Parents surveyed spoke about challenges at home, including financial and time pressures, which limit the time they are able to spend with their children. Teachers identified the following reasons why children aren’t school ready (listed from most impacting): 

• Parents spending more time on electronic devices than with children 

• Less time spent at nurseries due to lockdown restrictions 

• Parents not reading to children 

• Children spending more time at home, with less access to interaction with other children 

• Parents don’t know what ‘school ready’ looks like 

• Parents don’t care or think it is their job to prepare their child for Reception 

• Lack of targeted state support for parents (e.g. health visitors) 

• Lack of peer or community support for parents (e.g. parent and baby groups) 

• Variable quality of nursery education 

• Rising cost of childcare.

The impact of Covid-19 on the level of school readiness is still a factor, albeit of decreasing importance. Of critical interest to us at Kids Matter is that teachers cite ‘lack of state, community and peer support for parents’ as key factors impacting the capacity of parents to prepare their children for school. 

James Bowen, director of policy for school leaders’ union the NAHT, commented:  

Reductions in early support – including valuable universal services like children’s centres – have taken their toll over the last decade as many local authorities faced cuts to their government funding.

Our highly effective parenting programmes equip parents and carers who are facing disadvantages with confidence, competence and community, enabling their children to thrive. The Kindred2 report makes no reference to the socio-economic status of those participating in the survey but there is an abundance of research suggesting that poverty impacts early childhood outcomes, including school readiness. 

More than 4 million children are being raised in poverty in the UK and the stress poverty places on them (and their parents) can result in long-term emotional and social problems. Kids Matter therefore exists to help strengthen families and interrupt that negative trajectory. 

We have seen the impact a supportive community has on children and families for the duration of and after completing our parenting programme. Kids Matter is not only about equipping parents with the tools to be confident and competent in their parenting in spite of their circumstances; our groups nurture friendships and a safe space for mums, dads and carers to share and grow beyond the programme.  

The Kids Matter programme has been transformational for the families that have been part of it and is an integral part of our school community. Engagement from the parent body has increased, sleep routines at home have improved and attendance of children whose parents participated in a Kids Matter is up. The change in the way our parents are starting to see themselves and view education, skills and training has been tangible. I would love as many Kids Matter programmes to run as possible because parents are acquiring skills that are not only changing their lives but the lives of their children – and they’re the lives of tomorrow.

Fiona, Headteacher

With our free, friendly programmes run in local community spaces, we can fill the gap forced open by budget cuts, offering peer and community support for children and families. 

To find out more about our vision to see every child in need raised in a strong family, visit kidsmatter.org.uk.