Page 10 | Recent study of children joining reception class

Liveandletlive18 · 2025-02-03T07:55:29+00:00

A recent study by kindred2 of a 1000 teachers resulted in finding a quarter of children today joined reception class when still in nappies. Many children are unable to climb a staircase or sit properly on the floor due to lack of exercise & muscle tone. The children used expressions more common in America such as trash & vacation due to excessive screen time. Teachers stated covid is no longer an excuse. They say a lot of this is due to busy parents working & having less time to interact with children & teach them basic skills. Is this a worrying trend.

BourbonsAreOverated · 03/02/2025 12:45

MonkeyToHeaven · 03/02/2025 12:43

A fair point, but about 800 playgrounds have closed and 200 libraries have either closed or been handed over to volunteers in just the last 10 years.

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for libraries, they are only open during limited times.

I don’t have a local library. My nearest one is a 20-30 min drive away.

Bakedpotatoes · 03/02/2025 12:45

Dramatic · 03/02/2025 11:54

I don't think they're far wrong, my daughter's reception class has 19 kids and I know 4 of them are still in nappies.

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How do you know this? Do they have additional needs?

MonkeyToHeaven · 03/02/2025 12:43

SinkToTheBottomWithYou · 03/02/2025 12:31

What tools are you talking about?
Everybody is capable of talking to their child, playing peekaboo, taking them to a playground, going to a library and showing them a picture book, etc.
People choose to ignore their child while looking at their phone, they know it is not good parenting but they don’t care. They don’t need ‘tools’, they need to stop being so selfish.

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A fair point, but about 800 playgrounds have closed and 200 libraries have either closed or been handed over to volunteers in just the last 10 years.

BourbonsAreOverated · 03/02/2025 12:43

frenchnoodle · 03/02/2025 12:40

This is absolutely the problem. And it will get worse.

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it will won’t it. At the moment regardless of nursery or working the majority are still doing it. It won’t take that long for the tiny percentage to become ill equipped parents themselves and the percentage increases

Carezzamia · 03/02/2025 12:42

MidnightPatrol · 03/02/2025 10:21

This doesn’t mean children are there all that time, it’s to accommodate people’s working patterns.

It’s not a school with compulsory attendance times - children arrive and depart at their parent’s convenience.

Such strong opinions, with absolutely no knowledge or experience!

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I know a lot of people do send between these times, so it is not a "waste of money".

frenchnoodle · 03/02/2025 12:40

BourbonsAreOverated · 03/02/2025 12:37

Because it hasn’t been modelled to them

they don’t have a support network showing them how to parent appropriately

surestart centres and the like don’t exist anymore

health visitors and social services are stretched and underfunded.

it’s like being taught cooking at school. Years ago you were taught cooking at school, and it was often taught at home. Then it got cut. So the children who didn’t cook at home weren’t getting the extra help with that at school. They then become parents and can’t teach their children and the cycle continues. Yes you can learn yourself, like parenting. But, if it’s not been modelled, it’s harder.

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This is absolutely the problem. And it will get worse.

1AngelicFruitCake · 03/02/2025 12:40

I hate that this is blamed on parents working. Yes it'll be a contributor but full be of parents not working who don't engage with their children.
Expectations are so low of what children should be able to do.

BourbonsAreOverated · 03/02/2025 12:37

SinkToTheBottomWithYou · 03/02/2025 12:31

What tools are you talking about?
Everybody is capable of talking to their child, playing peekaboo, taking them to a playground, going to a library and showing them a picture book, etc.
People choose to ignore their child while looking at their phone, they know it is not good parenting but they don’t care. They don’t need ‘tools’, they need to stop being so selfish.

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Because it hasn’t been modelled to them

they don’t have a support network showing them how to parent appropriately

surestart centres and the like don’t exist anymore

health visitors and social services are stretched and underfunded.

it’s like being taught cooking at school. Years ago you were taught cooking at school, and it was often taught at home. Then it got cut. So the children who didn’t cook at home weren’t getting the extra help with that at school. They then become parents and can’t teach their children and the cycle continues. Yes you can learn yourself, like parenting. But, if it’s not been modelled, it’s harder.

FiveWhatByFiveWhat · 03/02/2025 12:33

HalloBasel · 03/02/2025 08:21

Erm I’m a SAHM and not lazy at all? I’ll do the potty training rather than nursery. Don’t say all SAHM are like this and nursery is the holy grail. In my generation no one went to nursery and we turned out fine. Fed up of hearing how sending your child away 12h a day at 12m is the ideal.

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Absolutely agree - and mine went to nursery!

@CheshireDing that's a really condescending attitude to have. I was raised by a sahm and wasn't going to school in nappies. If your child is going to an excellent nursery AND being supported at home then chances are (if there are no underlying issues), they'll be fine.

But they'll also be fine with a supportive, involved sahp.

Equally if they go to a crap nursery and are unsupported at home they'll struggle. If they go to an amazing nursery, but are left in front of screens all evening and weekend and put back in nappies, they'll struggle.

TallulahBetty · 03/02/2025 12:33

Scottishshopaholic · 03/02/2025 10:59

A lot of my peers who have older kids keep saying ‘just leave the potty training until they are 3 then it’s a lot easier’ whereas my mum and grandma keep saying ‘she’s nearly 2 and should be potty trained by now’

Our private nursery won’t let them move up to the preschool room (unless there is other needs) if they are not of nappies.

Which is ridiculous and not helpful by the nursery. Some just aren't ready by then!

SinkToTheBottomWithYou · 03/02/2025 12:31

BourbonsAreOverated · 03/02/2025 12:19

Or not having the tools and support to do their job

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What tools are you talking about?
Everybody is capable of talking to their child, playing peekaboo, taking them to a playground, going to a library and showing them a picture book, etc.
People choose to ignore their child while looking at their phone, they know it is not good parenting but they don’t care. They don’t need ‘tools’, they need to stop being so selfish.

Auldlang · 03/02/2025 12:24

Theresidents · 03/02/2025 07:56

Yes, I heard a child the other day speaking with a YouTube American accent, whilst her mum and nan had a London one.

Well if you saw me with my half-Canadian son and my mum you'd probably judge me too but it's got fuck all to do with YouTube.

MotionIntheOcean · 03/02/2025 12:23

Dramatic · 03/02/2025 12:14

Well yes, but the blame lies with the parents not doing their job.

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This is not only debatable, but doesn't make a difference to the point being made about the importance of things like trips to the supermarket. When the lack of these has caused a problem, it's still a problem regardless of how much is down to choices and how much down to parental incapability. Society has to deal with the effects of removing the village, whether or not we feel the parents concerned did as much as possible to mitigate the effects.

BourbonsAreOverated · 03/02/2025 12:19

Dramatic · 03/02/2025 12:14

Well yes, but the blame lies with the parents not doing their job.

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Or not having the tools and support to do their job

BourbonsAreOverated · 03/02/2025 12:18

CalamityK8 · 03/02/2025 11:43

I've read most of the posts, and don't want to de-rail this interesting thread but would like to hear what an ideal day caring for my DGD age 26 months would look like?

I do my best but welcome your thoughts. Thanks.

I’ve no idea what a proper ideal day is. Mine are teens, but when I wasn’t working our ideal days would be getting out most days.

supermarkets we would write lists and shop for them. They would draw the veg and fruit and look for them.
go out every day, puddle jumping and feeding ducks
wildlife trust and museums do some great organised toddler stuff
a bit of baking and cooking - there’s nearly always a way to let them help.
few crafts or water games when the weathers nice
farm and zoo visits
museum visits
library visits

yes there was plenty of CBeebies (tried to keep YouTube to a minimum as it’s unregulated) when I needed to get stuff done. Just talk to them and interact. I think that’s what most people agree on

OneAmberFinch · 03/02/2025 12:17

I agree with those who say it's not just about the babies themselves having screen time but also parents. I really struggle (especially when I'm tired) to not just sit on the couch with my baby on my lap while scrolling on my phone or laptop instead of engaging.

I actually compare it in my head to smoking parents in the 80s/90s - by then people knew it was bad but it was so addictive that it was hard to stop, and was used as a stress reliever. I always judged those parents because mine didn't smoke - but then, they simply never started, so it was easy for them to say. I have a lot more sympathy now!

Tangerinenets · 03/02/2025 12:17

ladykale · 03/02/2025 07:57

It just lazy parenting and I'm tired of people using full time work as an excuse.

If you look at the demographics these typically AREN'T the kids going to nursery, they are the ones at home with SAHP but who are parking them in front of the tv.

Find it infuriating when paired with private school VAT as this is the education system Labour wants non-lazy parents to but their children in

Wow!

2025NewUserName · 03/02/2025 12:17

JudgeJ · 03/02/2025 12:04

There was nothing like a terry nappy to encourage potty training, no toddler wanted to carry round a heavy, soggy nappy! The Pampers effect is one of the root causes of so many children starting school in nappies, they're relatively comfortable, why bother using the potty! The age for which disposable nappies are available is amazing, when will it spread into secondary schools?

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Oh come on, you know these big nappy sizes are for disabled children. No year 7 is going to shit into a nappy during double French because they've just got used to being too darn comfortable.

NoGwenItsABoxingDayTrifle · 03/02/2025 12:15

CalamityK8 · 03/02/2025 11:43

I've read most of the posts, and don't want to de-rail this interesting thread but would like to hear what an ideal day caring for my DGD age 26 months would look like?

I do my best but welcome your thoughts. Thanks.

I'd say just continuously interacting with her. When making breakfast get her to help you chop the or count out 10 grapes. Take her to playgroups and parks or the library or swimming. Arts and crafts, reading, talking and learning.

Dramatic · 03/02/2025 12:14

MotionIntheOcean · 03/02/2025 12:06

Well, ideally.

But for those parents not doing a good enough job at that for whatever reason, those little everyday interactions take on more of the slack. And we removed all that, for an extended period.

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Well yes, but the blame lies with the parents not doing their job.

vivainsomnia · 03/02/2025 12:09

I happened to come across my kids' childcare reports. It was so intensive about all the activities and learning they did. It wasn't babysitting in any way. It was a lovely environment where my kids learned so much more they ever could have with me if I'd stayed at home.

They are now in their 20s, both in excellent careers after excelling in school.

SinkToTheBottomWithYou · 03/02/2025 12:07

ladykale · 03/02/2025 07:57

It just lazy parenting and I'm tired of people using full time work as an excuse.

If you look at the demographics these typically AREN'T the kids going to nursery, they are the ones at home with SAHP but who are parking them in front of the tv.

Find it infuriating when paired with private school VAT as this is the education system Labour wants non-lazy parents to but their children in

If you look at the demographics these typically AREN'T the kids going to nursery, they are the ones at home with SAHP but who are parking them in front of the tv
Indeed. See also: middle of the day, parent pushing a buggy with a child watching a screen and/or eating junk food. They don’t do that in nursery.

MotionIntheOcean · 03/02/2025 12:06

Dramatic · 03/02/2025 11:57

Yes it could have made a small difference but the main way children learn is by interacting with their parents.

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Well, ideally.

But for those parents not doing a good enough job at that for whatever reason, those little everyday interactions take on more of the slack. And we removed all that, for an extended period.

Dramatic · 03/02/2025 12:05

MrsSunshine2b · 03/02/2025 10:34

Sorry to burst your bubble but my "Covid baby" was born in a tiny flat and we followed the rules. We also talked to our child, read to her every day, took her out for a daily walk as the rules allowed, did tummy time and built up her muscle tone and potty trained her. The first time she saw stairs she climbed them with no problem because she is strong and healthy. She met all her milestones on time or early.

It was a year, and even then, not the whole year, just a few months in spring and some more in winter. It's had more of an impact on children who were taken out of school. Babies only need their parents really. Unless their parents are rubbish.

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This is exactly my view. If lockdown is to blame then you're basically blaming lazy parents because if you did everything you're supposed to do with a baby to help them develop then they would have developed normally unless there was going to be additional needs anyway.

JudgeJ · 03/02/2025 12:04

Seymour5 · 03/02/2025 08:17

i tend to agree with @babyproblems.

When my DC were small, (50 years ago) potty training, with the result of getting them out of terry towelling nappies was an automatic part of parenting toddlers. I had two within 18 months, and my nappy bucket was in permanent use! I was at home til the oldest was at school, then part time work so DH and I shared care. No family around, no affordable nurseries. No Surestart, no online help or information. Just a bit of common sense and effort. I don’t recall any four year old in their classes being in nappies, and we didn’t live in an affluent area.

As parents themselves, they worked, DGC went to nursery, so of course they were school ready.

Edited

There was nothing like a terry nappy to encourage potty training, no toddler wanted to carry round a heavy, soggy nappy! The Pampers effect is one of the root causes of so many children starting school in nappies, they're relatively comfortable, why bother using the potty! The age for which disposable nappies are available is amazing, when will it spread into secondary schools?