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
£14.25 - 17.00 per hour
Location free text
Woking
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Surrey
Description
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner in Woking Full time, hours between 8am – 6pm Competitive salary based on experience and qualificationsWe are looking for a caring, enthusiastic, and dedicated Level 3
Reference
L3 NN Woking2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley South SEN
Author
Thames Valley South SENSalary
£14.25 - 17.00 per hour
Location free text
Wokingham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Wokingham
Description
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner in Wokingham Full time, hours between 8am – 6pm Competitive salary based on experience and qualificationsWe are looking for a caring, enthusiastic, and dedicated Level
Reference
NN L3 Wokingham
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley South SEN
Author
Thames Valley South SENSalary
£90 - 95 per day
Location free text
Lancaster
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Lancashire
Description
Level 3 Childcare Practitioners – School-Based Opportunities Lancaster AreaAre you a passionate and qualified Level 3 Childcare Practitioner looking to expand your experience within a school setting?
Reference
KH3721
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire North PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire North PrimarySalary
£450 - 650 per week
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Level 2 Nursery Practitioner – Summer Work | Bournemouth Teaching Personnel is looking for enthusiastic and caring Level 2 Nursery Practitioners to support welcoming nursery settings across Bournemou
Reference
EW-80
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimarySalary
£450 - 650 per week
Location free text
Ringwood
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Ringwood
Description
Level 3 Nursery Practitioner – Summer Holiday Cover Location: Ringwood Position: Level 3 Nursery Practitioner Contract: Temporary – Summer Holidays Hours: Full-time and part-time opportunities availa
Reference
EW-79
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset 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
Full-Time Early Years Teaching Assistant (Level 3) – SouthamptonWe are currently recruiting a dedicated and enthusiastic Early Years Teaching Assistant to work full-time in a welcoming early year sett
Reference
EYFT
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire PrimaryAuthor
Hampshire PrimarySalary
£92.22 - 105.00 per day
Location free text
Bristol
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Bristol
Description
EYFS Teaching Assistant | BS9 | Full Time | September StartWe are looking for a caring and patient Teaching Assistant to join a lovely primary school in the BS9 area of Bristol. This role is based wit
Reference
JWTABS9EYFS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Bristol PrimaryAuthor
Bristol PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 15.50 per hour
Location free text
Widnes
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Widnes
Description
Qualified EYFS Teaching Assistant – Flexible Supply RolesLocation: Widnes and surrounding areas Start Date: September 2026 Contract Type: Flexible Supply / Temporary Pay: £14.25 - £15.50 per hour (DOE
Reference
TG - 160726
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool Primary
Author
Liverpool PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 14.50 per hour
Location free text
Southampton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Southampton
Description
Nursery Practitioner SouthamptonTeaching Personnel are seeking a caring and committed Nursery Practitioner to work within an early year setting in Southampton. This is a rewarding opportunity for a pr
Reference
160726TNP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire PrimaryAuthor
Hampshire PrimarySalary
£14 - 15 per hour
Location free text
Fordingbridge
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Fordingbridge
Description
Level 3 Childcare Practitioners – School-Based OpportunitiesFordingbridge & Salisbury AreaAre you a passionate and qualified Level 3 Childcare Practitioner looking to expand your experience within a s
Reference
LEVEL1607
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimaryRelated posts
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
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates 30 years, we hear from Senior Branch Manager, Hannah James, who reflects on her time with us these past 11 years. The impact we have on our schools and educat
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Vicky shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years.She joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and has become an
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As we celebrate 30 years of making difference, get to know Rebecca who has worked at Teaching Personnel for nearly a decade. Being able to support schools and help place the right educators
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Jenny reflects on a decade of working at Teaching Personnel.From starting as a teaching assistant to overseeing multiple branches, her
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job