Some children starting school ‘unable to climb staircase’, finds England and Wales teacher survey

Covid baby' explanation starting to feel like an excuse, say some teachers, as quarter of children begin reception in nappies

Some children are starting reception school unable to climb a staircase", while others use Americanisms in their speech because of too much screen time, according to a survey of teachers.

The pandemic has been blamed for a decline in school readiness among reception-aged children, but some teachers who took part in the annual poll said the Covid baby" explanation was starting to feel like an excuse.