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 - 16.85 per hour
Location free text
Wokingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Wokingham
Description
Experienced Nursery Practitioners Needed Full-Time | Part-Time | Temporary | Flexible HoursTeaching Personnel are currently recruiting experienced and passionate Nursery Practitioners to join our grow
Reference
Flexible Nursery
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley PrimaryAuthor
Thames Valley PrimarySalary
£110 - 125 per day
Location free text
Elstree
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Hertfordshire
Description
Join an Award-Winning and Prestigious School's Brand-New Nursery Provision We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years Practitioner to join the team at our award-winning
Reference
EYPHABAERS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
Market related
Location free text
Hertfordshire
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£30,000 - £39,999
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Hertfordshire
Description
Join an Award-Winning and Prestigious School's Brand-New Nursery Provision We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years Practitioner to join the team at our award-winning
Reference
EYP111
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
Market related
Location free text
Hertfordshire
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£30,000 - £39,999
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Hertfordshire
Description
Join an Award-Winning and Prestigious School's Brand-New Nursery Provision We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years Practitioner to join the team at our award-winning
Reference
EYP1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£100 - 125 per day
Location free text
Hertfordshire
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Hertfordshire
Description
Are you ready to spark curiosity, inspire young minds, and make every single day an adventure?We are seeking a passionate, high- energy Early Years Practitioner to join a dynamic team in Hertfordshire
Reference
EarlyYearsTeacherWAT
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£26k - 27k per year
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
Sector
Early Years
Location
Northampton
Description
Nursery Manager (Maternity Cover) Contract: Full Time, Fixed Term Hours: 39 hours per week Salary: Up to £26,600 per annum (including management allowance) Start Date: October 2026About the Opportunit
Reference
Nursery Manager
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£14.25 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Liverpool
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Liverpool
Description
Nursery PractitionerAre you passionate about delivering high-quality care and early education to young children? Do you have a nurturing and supportive approach? If so, we have an exciting opportunity
Reference
Nurs Ass *23203203
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool Primary
Author
Liverpool PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Lancaster
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Lancashire
Description
EYFS Teaching Assistant – Lancaster & Surrounding Areas (September Start) Location: Lancaster and surrounding areas Start Date: September Pay: Competitive daily rates Contract: Flexible (Full-time
Reference
KH2528
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire North PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire North PrimarySalary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Milborne Port
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Somerset
Description
Level 3 Childcare Practitioner – Milborne Port Start Date: September 2026 (earlier start available) Pay: £90–£94 per dayWe are seeking a passionate and enthusiastic Level 3 Childcare Practitioner to j
Reference
2262026abs
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimarySalary
£92.63 - 105.00 per day
Location free text
Abergavenny
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Monmouthshire
Description
Early Years Teaching Assistant – Abergavenny (NP7 Area) - September startLocation: Abergavenny and surrounding NP7 areasContract Type: Part-time / Flexible opportunitiesPay: Weekly pay (competitive ra
Reference
EYTAs - NP7
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Newport PrimaryAuthor
Newport PrimaryRelated posts
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
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Gemma joined the Future Teachers Programme shortly after graduating. Now in a permanent teaching position, she reflects on how the programme shaped her classroom experience and supp
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Discover Ben Whittle’s role and find out about his impact within the Future Teachers Programme Read more How long have you been with Teaching Personnel and where are
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job