Dominic O'Regan, a primary school teacher with three decades of experience, has raised alarming concerns about the decline in basic skills among children entering school. According to him, many new pupils are starting school without essential skills like toilet training, which was once expected at an earlier age. In a stark comparison to a few decades ago when 83% of children were out of nappies by 18 months, now about one in four children begin school not toilet trained, leading to increased accidents in classrooms.

A recent survey conducted by the early-years charity Kindred Squared supports O'Regan’s observations, revealing a significant shift in expectations regarding childhood development. Teachers have reported that basic skills, such as independence and personal hygiene, which were standard for entering school, are now alarmingly lacking. This change is creating a challenging environment for educators who must navigate the complexities of addressing these gaps in skillsets alongside the traditional educational curriculum.

The implications of this trend are far-reaching. With an increasing number of children untrained in basic skills, there is concern over how this will affect their overall education and social development. The emphasis on early childhood development may need to be reconsidered to ensure that children are adequately prepared for school, not just academically, but in terms of their fundamental life skills as well.