Children not ready to start school?

I reported last term that teachers were alarmed on how many children were 'not ready' for school. However, Wendy Scott, NAPE's Early Years consultant reminded me that 'was it not the case that schools were not ready?'

Kathryn Peckham wrote a most interesting article in the Guardian 'Children are starting school unable to sit up or hold a pencil – and I know the culprit'. Well worth a read, as she argues that 'screens are replacing physical activity'.

 Meanwhile, the press have picked up on a research report on just this topic.

Teachers report that growing numbers of children are not “ready for school” according to the latest report by Kindred2 

The Institute of Health Visiting in their news article said:

To understand “school readiness” for children starting Reception last autumn, the early years charitable foundation Kindred2 commissioned Savanta to conduct focus groups and survey over 1,000 teachers and 1,000 parents of Reception children:

• More than three-quarters of teachers say they are spending more time supporting children who are not school ready.

• 1 in 4 children are starting school not toilet trained.

• 30% of children can’t communicate their needs to tell teachers if they are hungry or scared or need to go to the toilet. More than a third couldn’t dress themselves.

• A quarter don’t have basic language skills.

So what will schools in the future have to do to address these issues so children are more ready to learn?