.jpg?v=4359fac971effdd27f3954f85ba816d2) 
New report highlights inconsistencies in reception education standards
Analysis from schools regulator Ofsted has shed light on inconsistencies in the quality of reception-level education that need to be addressed.
As part of a wider review of the curriculum in England, the regulator found that around one-third of all five-year-olds are not receiving the standard of reception education they require, while nearly half of disadvantaged children are failing to meet expected levels of development at this important early stage.
The report indicated that the best reception schools encourage children to learn to read quickly and easily, to enjoy listening to stories, to learn poems and rhymes by heart and gain an understanding of numbers through practical activities, as well as developing their personal, social and emotional skills through play.
Headteachers surveyed as part of the report indicated that newly-qualified teachers are often not well prepared to teach reading, writing or basic maths in reception, while issues were also raised about the benefits of the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile.
To address these issues, Ofsted is recommending that more needs to be done to put reading at the heart of the reception curriculum, with a focus on developing children's spoken language and phonics, as well as making sure that children sit at tables when they learn to write.
It was also proposed that the profile of early mathematics teaching needs to be raised, with the Department for Education called upon to make a similar investment in this area as that seen in the teaching of phonics.
Chief inspector Amanda Spielman said: "The best schools know how to design their curriculum so that children's learning and development sets them up well for the rest of their schooling.
"Reception should not just be a repeat of what children learned in their nursery or pre-school, or with their childminder. They deserve better than facing years of catching up."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£85 - 120 per day
Location free text
Harrow
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Harrow
Description
Early Years Educator – Harrow Location: Harrow, London Start Date: November 2025 Job Type: Full Time, Permanent Salary: Pay to scale (PAYE)Are you passionate about shaping young minds and creatin
Reference
EY Educator - Harrow
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£13.75 - 14.50 per hour
Location free text
Leyland
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Leyland
Description
Level 3 Nursery Practitioner – Help Little Learners Bloom! Location: Chorley & Leyland Start Date: November 2025 Salary: £85–£100 per day (depending on experience) Contract: Full-time / Part-time / F
Reference
L3EYFSPractitionerLe
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire Central PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire Central PrimarySalary
£13.75 - 14.50 per hour
Location free text
Chorley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Lancashire
Description
Level 3 Nursery Practitioner – Help Little Learners Bloom! Location: Chorley & Leyland Start Date: November 2025 Salary: £85–£100 per day (depending on experience) Contract: Full-time / Part-time / F
Reference
L3 EYFS Practitioner
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire Central PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire Central PrimarySalary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Darlington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Darlington
Description
EYFS Teaching Assistant Aycliffe - Level 3 Darlington Work pattern: Full-time (working hours vary from 8.30 - 3.30 with the occasional 4.30) Required for the summer term earlier start dates may be ava
Reference
ABT09870
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimarySalary
£24k - 30k per year
Location free text
Ashford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
Sector
Early Years
Location
Kent
Description
Nursery Practitioner – AshfordAre you a caring and enthusiastic Nursery Practitioner looking for a new opportunity?Teaching Personnel are recruiting for a Level 3 or Level 2 Qualified Nursery Practiti
Reference
SM Nursery Ash
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Branch SecondaryAuthor
Branch SecondarySalary
£168.71 - 223.62 per day
Location free text
Salford
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Part-time position – January 2026 start Long-term contract with potential to extend Early Years Experience essential Qualified Teachers and ECTs encouraged to applyA lovely Salford Primary School is s
Reference
EYFS Jan
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South PrimaryAuthor
Manchester South PrimarySalary
£24k - 30k per year
Location free text
Maidstone
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
Sector
Early Years
Location
Maidstone
Description
Nursery Practitioner (Full-Time or Part-Time)Location: Maidstone areaHours: Full-Time (Monday–Friday) Open to Part-timeSalary: Competitive depending on experienceReports to: Room Leader / Nursery Mana
Reference
SM Nursery Maid
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Branch SecondaryAuthor
Branch SecondarySalary
£100 - 160 per day
Location free text
Slough
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Slough
Description
Nursery Room Leader – Primary School in Slough Location: Slough, Berkshire Contract: Full-time (Monday to Friday) Hours: Shift pattern between 7:15am and 6:15pm Start Date: Mid December | January 20
Reference
Room Leader
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley PrimaryAuthor
Thames Valley PrimarySalary
£120.00 - 232.56 per day
Location free text
Prescot
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Merseyside
Description
EYFS TeacherLocation: Prescot, Merseyside Start Date: January 2026 Contract Type: Temporary/Full Time Pay: £120 - £232.56 per day (depending on experience)Are you a passionate Early Years Foundation S
Reference
TG - 281025
Expiry Date
DD01YY
 
            
            Author
Liverpool Primary 
        
        Author
Liverpool PrimarySalary
£120 - 140 per day
Location free text
Stoke-on-Trent
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Staffordshire
Description
Teaching Personnel are currently working with a primary school based in Stoke-on-Trent who are looking for an EYFS Teacher to join their welcoming and inclusive team. This is a great opportunity for a
Reference
287319827931
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North SecondaryAuthor
Manchester North SecondaryRelated posts
 
        
    Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
Meet Morgan Sharkey, Education Recruitment Consultant in our Preston Team What’s your role and what does a typical day look like?
 
        
    Teaser
Awareness DaysContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
This ADHD Awareness Month, Ellen shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD and how she's raising awareness of it so more support can be more provided. When someone close to me suggested I
 
        
    Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
If you’re starting your teaching journey or returning to the classroom, one of the first things you’ll need is a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. It’s a legal requirement for anyone wor
 
        
    Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
At Teaching Personnel, safeguarding isn’t just a policy - it’s the foundation of everything we do. As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, I’m responsible for ensuring that we embed a culture of “it
_compressed.jpg) 
        
    Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Three peaks, three mountains, three countries… and a lot of sweets. Jordan Chapman shares how the team tackled the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for charities across the UK.
 
        
    Teaser
Awareness DaysContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Today, we come together to mark National Teaching Assistants’ Day, a celebration of the incredible work that teaching assistants (TAs) do in schools across the country. This year’s theme, “Read To
.jpg) 
        
    Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Walking into a teaching interview can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced teachers. The secret? Preparation. Knowing what to expect, understanding the school, and thinking through your answer
 
        
    Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Pay is always a big topic for teachers and school leaders, and with good reason. It affects career choices, retention, and how schools plan. With a 4% rise confirmed for the next academic term, 20
 
        
    Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i
 
        
    Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu
            Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
        
        Register today
    Recent job