Grapevine

New school starters in England not ready for learning, says report

Across England, 33% of all children starting reception in the 2022/23 academic year were considered not school ready, meaning they lack the skills and knowledge they need to be successful at school. This number rose to 45% of children receiving free school meals.

The figures are presented in the latest Child of the North and the Centre for Young Lives report, which also sets out new evidence-based plans to tackle the lack of affordable early years provision and childcare which are contributing to children not being school ready.

Report series editor Professor Mark Mon-Williams, Chair in Cognitive Psychology in the University of Leeds' School of Psychology, said, "The UK has forgotten that healthy trees grow from well nurtured seeds and saplings. The evidence shows clearly that many of the problems blighting the NHS, school and criminal justice system exist because we didn't adequately support young children before they arrived in school.

"The cost to the children and families who are left unsupported is heart wrenching. But there are also immense long-term costs to our economy and our society. We need a radical overhaul of how we support children in their early years and especially in areas suffering from structural disadvantage. The time has come for everyone throughout the UK—including politicians—to help nurture the next generation through their early years so our country can enjoy the benefits of a healthy and well-educated population."

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