A survey has revealed that nine out of ten reception teachers in the UK have at least one child in their class who is not toilet trained, sparking concerns about school readiness. The School Readiness Survey, conducted by YouGov, also found that 97% of teachers have a pupil who cannot count to ten, and 93% have one who cannot say their own name.
Conservative MP Miriam Cates attributed the issue to working parents being too busy to potty train their children. Speaking at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference, she argued that the current economic system forces mothers to return to work early, making it 'impossible' to dedicate the necessary time to toilet training. She also criticised a culture that shields children from discomfort, which she said hinders the development of essential skills.
Educators have called for parents to take more responsibility, noting that nearly half of toddlers are not 'school ready' on their first day. Schools are now spending an average of over £21,500 each to support children who lack basic skills, including eating independently and using the toilet. Teachers warn that these additional demands are pushing them to their limits and affecting morale.
The survey highlights broader concerns about early childhood development, with only 1% of educators reporting that all their pupils can hold a pencil, listen to simple questions, and share with others. Some experts suggest that lockdown isolation and increased screen time may have exacerbated these problems.
