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
£92.63 - 95.00 per day
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Full- time Teaching Assistant – EYFS (Reception Class) Bournemouth based primary school | Full-Time | September 2026 StartWe are looking to appoint a caring, enthusiastic and reliable Teaching Assis
Reference
SH140726EYFS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£14.25 - 15.50 per hour
Location free text
Burnley
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Burnley
Description
Full- time Teaching Assistant – EYFS (Reception Class) Burnley based primary school | Full-Time | September 2026 StartWe are looking to appoint a caring, enthusiastic and reliable Teaching Assistan
Reference
FT EYFS TA Sept 26
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire East PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire East PrimarySalary
£92.63 - 110.00 per day
Location free text
Crickhowell
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Powys
Description
Early Years Teaching Assistant – NP8 – September Start Location: NP8 Contract Type: Full-time / Part-time / Flexible opportunitiesPay: Weekly pay (competitive rates)Teaching Personnel are working c
Reference
EYTA - NP8
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Newport PrimaryAuthor
Newport PrimarySalary
£14 - 16 per hour
Location free text
Gerrards Cross
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Buckinghamshire
Description
Qualified Nursery Practitioner – Full Time (40 Hours per Week) Location: Gerrards CrossAre you a passionate and experienced Nursery Practitioner looking for an exciting new opportunity? We are seeking
Reference
Practitioners GC
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley PrimaryAuthor
Thames Valley PrimarySalary
£174.71 - 270.95 per day
Location free text
Reading
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Reading
Description
Early Years Teacher – Primary School Reading, Berkshire September 2026 Start Exclusive Opportunity with Teaching PersonnelAre you a passionate and nurturing Early Years Teacher looking for your next
Reference
Early Years Teacher
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley PrimaryAuthor
Thames Valley PrimarySalary
£130 - 160 per day
Location free text
Durham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Durham
Description
Early Years Teacher – Day-to-Day Supply Durham & Surrounding Areas | Flexible Start Dates | Competitive Daily RatesAre you a passionate Early Years Teacher who enjoys nurturing young learners and c
Reference
EW12278EYTE26C
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Penrith
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Cumbria
Description
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner September Start | Penrith Area Teaching Personnel are seeking a passionate Level 3 Early Years Practitioner to join a friendly and welcoming village primary school
Reference
KH4783
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire North PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire North PrimarySalary
£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
Nursery L3 wokingham
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley South SEN
Author
Thames Valley South SENSalary
£14.25 - 17.00 per hour
Location free text
Reading
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Reading
Description
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner in Reading Full time, hours between 8am – 6pm Competitive salary based on experience and qualificationsWe are looking for a caring, enthusiastic, and dedicated Level 3
Reference
Nursery L3 Reading
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley South SEN
Author
Thames Valley South SENSalary
£14.25 - 17.00 per hour
Location free text
Bracknell
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Bracknell
Description
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner in Bracknell and surrounding areas Full time, hours between 8am – 6pm Competitive salary based on experience and qualificationsWe are looking for a caring, enthusiasti
Reference
Nursery L3 Bracknell
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley South SEN
Author
Thames Valley South SENRelated 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 work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job