Quarter of Kids Start School Untrained: Expert Help Arrives

A significant educational challenge is emerging as a quarter of children now arrive at school without being toilet-trained, a stark contrast to previous decades. This situation forces primary school staff to dedicate over two hours each day to assisting with basic life skills, diverting valuable time from core lessons and hindering overall student development. This trend underscores a growing need for parental support in early childhood development.

To address this, early years charity Kindred Squared, with backing from the Departments for Education and Health & Social Care, has launched a new guide for parents. It offers practical strategies, including encouraging children to read potty-training books or let their toys 'take turns' on the potty. The guide also stresses the importance of a diet rich in fibre, ample water intake spread throughout the day, and identifying the optimal age range of 18-30 months for toilet independence.

This initiative aligns with national goals to improve school readiness, aiming for 75% of five-year-olds to be prepared for reception by 2028. Experts emphasize that toilet training not only fosters a child's confidence and social integration but also enables educators to focus more effectively on teaching and supporting each child's educational journey, ultimately contributing to a more productive learning environment.