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A recently-published survey of 1000 parents and teachers by charity Kindred2 has found that 50% of teachers say children are less ready for school than they were a year ago.
1 in 4 children, the survey found, were not toilet-trained and 50% of the parents surveyed did not think it was their sole responsibility to toilet train their child.
Other issues identified were that nearly half of children entering reception classes in September 2023 were not able to sit still, and a quarter did not have basic language skills.
Many parents had had little contact with health visitors and reported that they did not fully understand what was needed for their child to be ready for school.
What can we do?
Many of our churches run thriving parent/carer and toddler groups, and others host pre-schools, so we are already doing a lot. Obviously much of this provision was unable to operate during the Pandemic, and children who are currently in Reception classes or about to enter school may have missed early opportunities for socialisation.
These groups can provide valuable sources of support for parents and carers of young children, particularly if they are supported by the church and wider community, where there is contact with people of different ages.
You might also consider hosting or running a parenting course.
Action for Children offers support for parents, including courses run through Children’s Centres, or accessed online or through text messages, and an online advice service called Parent Talk, where information is available and access to a parenting coach can be provided free of charge.