Ï㽶ÊÓƵapp

The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment following the release of Kindred²'s  report which found that, in the 2024 Reception cohort, over a third (36%) of children struggled to play or share with other children, 34% don't how to listen or respond to simple instruction, and a quarter (25%) are not toilet trained. 

Commenting Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said: 

"The findings from this survey are, while deeply concerning, sadly not at all surprising. All children deserve the best possible start in life, and ensuring children are supported to make that all-important transition to school - while also recognising that it is the responsibility of schools to be 'ready' for children, rather than the other way around - is a vital part of this. 

"But if we are going to have any hope of reversing the trends highlighted in this report, we need a cohesive system of early years support in this country: one that ensures nurseries, pre-schools and childminders have the resources and funding they need to deliver quality care and education, and invests in comprehensive, joined-up systems of family services to ensure the parents are adequately supported during their child's earliest years. 

“As such, while we welcome the government's commitment to putting the early years at their heart of policy, as so clearly demonstrated by this report, this positive rhetoric simply must be followed by tangible action if we are ensure that all children get the early support they need and deserve."