School Readiness Survey 2024

The School Readiness Survey, published by Early Years charity Kindred Squared, assesses the school readiness of children and their access to education in reception, where no SEND conditions have been diagnosed.

• 90% of parents say their child is ready, but teachers say a third of children aren’t
• 49% of parents say children aren’t school ready because parents don’t think it’s their job
• 54% of teachers say boys are less school ready than girls
• 54% of teachers and 43% or parents point to children’s screen time as a major factor.

Based on focus groups and surveys with over 1,000 teachers and 1,000 parents of reception-aged children in England and Wales, the survey found confusion among what “being ready” for school meant.

Fewer than half (44%) of parents think children should know how to use books (not swiping or tapping as if using an electronic device) and only three-quarters selected toilet training as something a child should be able to do before starting reception.

Meanwhile, teachers said one in three children start school unable to listen or respond to simple instructions, with staff losing on average 2.4 hours per day of teaching time as a result.