Problems for children starting school? No surprises here!

It should be no surprise to anyone (especially those who have read the OST report “Vision for the Future of Primary Education”) to read that many very young children are finding the transition into school very difficult. A recent Guardian report suggests that not only is there an increase in exclusions of children under 5 but that in some schools in deprived areas up to 40% of reception children are also now arriving at school not yet potty-trained. Experts say many more children are starting school with undiagnosed language and learning difficulties which can lead to behavioural problems.

OST identified the loss of sure start and children's centres as a major obstacle to improving children's chances in education and now many other charities say cuts to public services combined with the impact of covid, mean many have not been seen by a health visitor at two and a half as they should be, and the closure of children’s centres has resulted in struggling families falling beneath the radar.