But, behind the welcome news of school places lies a growing challenge: too many children are starting school without the skills they need to thrive.
Recognising this, the government recently set an ambitious and important target – for 75% of children to be school-ready by 2028. While this is an admirable ambition, at present, we are set to fall far short of this objective with data revealing that the government requires 40,000 to 50,000 more children to achieve their development goals every year.
If the government is serious about school readiness, there are outstanding issues they have to address.
Firstly, what does it really mean to be “school-ready”? It’s a question many parents are asking – and understandably so. In fact, Kindred Squared’s latest school readiness survey found that 49% of parents don’t see it as their responsibility to make sure their child is school-ready. That doesn’t mean they’re not invested – it simply suggests that many families are unsure about what school readiness actually involves, or how they fit into the picture.
For some, it might sound like being prepared for the first day – uniforms ready, shoes polished, and bags packed. And while those things matter, school readiness is about much more. According to the government, it’s not just about starting school – it’s about where children are by the end of their Reception year. That includes things like communication, emotional self-regulation, social skills, and early learning foundations. And the great news? These important skills begin developing at home, shaped by everyday moments and positive interactions with parents and guardians. This is why progress on school readiness can only be possible if parents and carers are placed at the heart of the mission.
Secondly, they must address the ongoing cuts to local family support. A recent report from the Centre for Young People has revealed nearly half of local authorities have cut funding for family hubs and children’s centres – the very services that help prepare children for school.
If we want more children to start school ready to learn and thrive, we need to start by supporting the people who know them best—their parents.
For the government to meet its 75% school readiness target, clearer communication is needed around what school readiness really means. Just as importantly, families should have easy access to the right support at the right time, especially in those crucial early years.
That’s where online parenting programmes can make a big difference. In 2022, Australia introduced a nationwide rollout of Triple P Online, offering free parenting support to all families with children under 12. More than 460,000 families have already signed up and that number is expected to reach over half a million by June 2025.
The results speak for themselves. An independent evaluation found that the programme helps parents feel more confident and capable while reducing behavioural and emotional challenges in children. In Western Australia, a 15-year follow-up revealed significant long-term benefits for children whose parents took part in Triple P when they were aged three to five. These children achieved higher scores in numerical and reading tests during primary school and were shown to have less days off in secondary school. Therefore, a national rollout of Triple P Online is a practical, evidence-based solution that meets families where they are at and rapidly at scale – challenging stigma and providing strategies that work in real life for issues such as school readiness.
This kind of support could benefit thousands more families across the UK. Because school readiness doesn’t begin at the classroom door –it begins at home, in the everyday moments shared between parents and children.
The government’s goal is achievable. But to get there, we need to recognise the vital role parents play, and invest in the tools, guidance and confidence they need to help their children thrive.
