Headteachers: children becoming less prepared for primary school
A report has called for steps to be taken to ensure children beginning primary school are better prepared to commence formal schooling.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the Family and Childcare Trust have conducted a survey showing that 86 percent of school leaders are concerned that children's school readiness is worse than it was five years ago, with almost one-quarter saying that more than half their intake was not ready for school.
Communication skills and physical development issues emerged among the top concerns in this respect, with speech, language and communication problems identified as a cause for worry by 97 percent of respondents.
When asked about why these issues may be emerging, 67 percent said more needs to be done to identify and support youngsters with additional needs early enough, while 66 percent said it may be to do with parents lacking the resources necessary to prepare their children for the start of primary school.
As such, the report urged decision-makers to offer greater local health and early years educational support to families, in order to make sure that potentially vulnerable young children are not beginning their education at a disadvantage.
Ellen Broome, chief executive of the Family and Childcare Trust, said: "There is strong evidence that early education can help to boost children's outcomes and narrows the gap between disadvantaged children and their peers - but only if it is high-quality.
"The government must make sure that every child can access high-quality early education and that parents can get the right support to help them to give their children the best start in life."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£16 per hour
Location free text
Leicester
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Leicester
Description
Part-Time, Term-Time Playgroup ManagerLocation: LE3 £16.00 per hour Part Time | 16–22 hours per week Permanent | Term Time Only Expected Start: October/November 2026All three of the following requirem
Reference
Playgroup Manager
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Leicester BranchAuthor
Leicester BranchSalary
£14.25 - 16.00 per hour
Location free text
Chorley
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Lancashire
Description
Early Years Setting – Chorley (PR6) Start Date: October 2026 Contract: Fixed Term (Full Academic Year) Hours: Monday to Friday, Full Time (Term Time Only) Pay: £14.25 - £16 per hour Are you a passion
Reference
JW011026-1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire Central PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire Central PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 14.25 per hour
Location free text
Birkenhead
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Merseyside
Description
Flexible EYFS PractitionerPart-Time & Short-Term Nursery Roles Birkenhead Area (CH43)£14.25 per hour Immediate Start AvailableAre you passionate about early years education but looking for a role tha
Reference
TG - 011026.1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool Primary
Author
Liverpool PrimarySalary
£90 - 120 per day
Location free text
Northumberland
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Northumberland
Description
EYFS Teaching Assistant role in Northumberland NE20.Start Date: 12th October.Pay: £90 - £120 per day, paid weekly (dependant on experience).Are you passionate about helping little learners take their
Reference
LS19811TA2026
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 14.25 per hour
Location free text
Southampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Southampton
Description
Level 3 EYFS Practitioner – Full-timeNursery & Early Years Settings across Southampton | October 2026 StartPassionate about helping young children learn, grow and thrive?Nurseries and early years sett
Reference
EYFS6
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire PrimaryAuthor
Hampshire PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Liverpool
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Liverpool
Description
EYFS Teaching Assistant – Wavertree (L15) Location: Wavertree, Liverpool (L15) Salary: £14.25 - £15.00 / hour Contract: Full-time Start Date: January 2027 Make a real difference from a child’s very f
Reference
EYFS TA *2302302
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool Primary
Author
Liverpool PrimarySalary
£94 - 150 per day
Location free text
Wigan
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Wigan
Description
Nursery Practitioners – Flexible Supply | Wigan & WarringtonTeaching Personnel are looking for Nursery Practitioners and Early Years staff to join our local supply team across Wigan and Warrington.Whe
Reference
TANURSEYFS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wigan and Warrington BranchAuthor
Wigan and Warrington BranchSalary
£150 - 250 per day
Location free text
Warrington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Warrington
Description
Early Years Teacher – WiganTeaching Personnel are currently recruiting for an enthusiastic Early Years Teacher to join a welcoming primary school in Wigan.The school are looking for a passionate teach
Reference
Eyfs tchtch
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wigan and Warrington BranchAuthor
Wigan and Warrington BranchSalary
£11.50 - 16.65 per hour
Location free text
Warrington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Warrington
Description
Nursery Nurse – WarringtonTeaching Personnel are working with a lovely primary school in Warrington who are looking for a caring and enthusiastic Nursery Nurse to join their Early Years team.This is a
Reference
Nurs233
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wigan and Warrington BranchAuthor
Wigan and Warrington BranchSalary
£14.00 - 16.65 per hour
Location free text
Wigan
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Wigan
Description
Early Years Practitioner – WiganTeaching Personnel are currently looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Early Years Practitioner to join a welcoming primary school in Wigan.The school are looking
Reference
EYFSPPRACTe
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wigan and Warrington BranchAuthor
Wigan and Warrington BranchRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
As we celebrate National Teaching Assistants' Day 2026, we're delighted to recognise the incredible individuals who have been selected as our Teaching Assistant of the Year winners.This year,
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
After a well-earned summer break, schools across the UK are opening their doors once again for a new academic year. Whether you're returning to a familiar classroom or starting a new role, Septemb
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for changes to the way temporary staff are sourced from September 2026, many will look to work more closely with framework-approved recruitment partners. Understandin
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Summer has only just started, and September might seem a long way off, but it will be here sooner than you think. Schools and trusts are already planning for September, with new opportunities open
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for September 2026, the shift from CCS (Crown Commercial Service) to the new GCA (Government Commercial Agency) framework marks a significant change in how supply sta
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
When schools wind down for the holidays, nurseries keep open. Many early-years settings remain open throughout the summer. Nurseries rely on skilled, caring staff to help children and
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job