Too many British families are hungry!

Callistemon, I too have read reports of children arriving in reception classes ill prepared in terms of toileting and use of cutlery. I wonder how this fits in though with nursery education which I had though was fairly comprehensive and available? One thing for certain is that the closure of many Surestart centres must have contributed to this.

I have an acquaintance who was a primary teacher in one of our deprived areas in Durham. She was saying some 20 years ago that some children were arriving in Reception practically unable to talk, just communicating by grunts...

And I can recall the posts on the TES forums, from about the same time, also talking of children arriving in Reception in nappies. Much argument among the 'progressives' and the 'traditionalists' as to whether this should be accommodated or not.

I remember a family who the social workers at the local authority where I worked had to deal with, early 80s. They all communicated by grunts.

One thing for certain is that the closure of many Surestart centres must have contributed to this. - sadly you are right.

Governments do not think long term or support prevention-based policies - they just chase the next election and look for instant vote-winners.

Until we have properly-funded and secure services for young families that are offered in a non-judgmental spirit the problems will persist. Every time a policy begins to bear fruit a cost-cutting chancellor rolls up and slashes funding, seemingly unable to work out that investment now will pay dividends later, both financially and in terms of reducing suffering and boosting the life prospects of young people.

Callistemon21

Callistemon21

Cossy

Skydancer

I have a friend from Hong Kong who has lived in this country for 50 years. I asked her if, during that time, she had noticed a decline in this country. She said yes and she felt a lot of people were not very intelligent. I'd agree really - maybe the education system lets too many people down. Money matters and everyday stuff like cooking should be taught from a young age as those are the things everyone has to deal with.

My first thought here is how very rude!
Secondly schools simply cannot teach everything! Unless we have a huge overall in our education system schools are there to “show people can pass exams” so they can move into further and higher education (not suggesting this is right, but this is how it is!)

Many banks do have links into Primary schools, I know NatWest do, and they encourage children to start saving, if they’re fortunate enough to receive pocket and birthday money.

Parents should really take responsibility for teaching their little ones money management and budgeting and how to shop, wash and iron clothes and cook! Schools have enough on their plates.

This friend from HK is obviously not intelligent enough to realise the difference between IQ and lack of education in certain areas.

Parents should really take responsibility for teaching their little ones money management and budgeting and how to shop, wash and iron clothes and cook! Schools have enough on their plates.
I agree, but many have not learnt from their parents.
There was a report on TV last night about children starting school (reception, not nursery) and not being toilet trained. Teachers have to spend up to 2½ hours per day changing nappies, toilet training their pupils. These are not children with disabilities,cities.
One teacher said research needed to be done into the reasons why.
I would suggest one is the availability of disposable nappies, which cost the earth in more ways than one. Secondly just sheer can't-be-bothereditis, someone else will do it.
If they had to wash terry nappies they'd soon potty train their toddlers.
The same with using cutlery, many 5 years olds do not have a clue.

It's all valuable time taken away from learning.

I think its what you call can’t-be-bothereditis.
Why bother making your kids a good packed lunch when someone else will pay for it. Remember not so long ago some parents were even calling for the LA to pay for their kids meals during school holidays!

Why bother washing terry nappies when you can just throw your disposables away?

Don’t bother toilet training your child, let the teachers or classroom assistants do it. I don’t understand how this has been allowed to happen actually because it used to be the case that schools would not accept kids in until they were able to use the toilet and were “clean”.

Sadly Primrose53
My daughter, a reception teacher, backs up your theories that for SOME parents it is “cannot be bothered”, however there is also the point that many parents are the result of previous poor parenting themselves, so they never learned the skills many of us learned from our parents. Many of her pupils cannot use cutlery, hold a crayon or dress/undress for PE. Given she currently has 33 little ones in her class she certainly has her work cut out!

“One thing for certain is that the closure of many Surestart centres must have contributed to this.”

Yes, yes YES!

I understand from my son and daughter in law that what I used to call ante natal classes are far more wide ranging than in the 80s when I was pregnant. They learned so many things about how to look after a baby that I learned through experience or Mum’s advice.

Don't forget, nowadays it is said that a child may be unable to control their bladder until around age 7, and not to make a fuss, not to worry.

Germanshepherdsmum

I understand from my son and daughter in law that what I used to call ante natal classes are far more wide ranging than in the 80s when I was pregnant. They learned so many things about how to look after a baby that I learned through experience or Mum’s advice.

I agree with you GSM, but I also think sadly that the type of parents we are discussing are unlikely to attend many ante natal classes for a myriad of reasons.

MissAdventure

Don't forget, nowadays it is said that a child may be unable to control their bladder until around age 7, and not to make a fuss, not to worry.

I agree. Accidents are likely to happen in reception and other years, but if 4 & 5 year olds are still in nappies during the day they are unlikely to even try and use the toilet. I’m not talking those with any medical or additional needs.

My daughter was going to be trained by the time she started playschool, because they wouldn't take children in nappies back in the day.

Same with my son. It was a close call!

It all seems a bit too casual, these days.
I was like a hawk at the dinner table, insisting on cutlery, and not talking with a full mouth, and staying at the table.

Me too, and nothing wrong with that imo.

We have a young couple nearby with 3 very small children all close in age. Judging by the pile of disposable nappies outside their back door they must all still be in nappies. They’re not at school anyway. I think it’s disgusting just dumping them there until they can be bothered to bin them. They are what my son calls “tree huggers” so I don’t understand why they even want to add to landfill with hundreds of nappies.

How ghastly. I used terry nappies but it seems nobody wants to bother with soaking, washing and drying nowadays.

Germanshepherdsmum

How ghastly. I used terry nappies but it seems nobody wants to bother with soaking, washing and drying nowadays.

I used terries for baby number 1, but after meeting my now husband and ending up with three more children under 5, and working full time, I found disposal nappies an absolute godsend! Mind you they were not dumped outside the door, I had this weird contraption that squished them all into a sausage shape then this got emptied and doubled bagged.

I also managed to potty train the older two, of the group of 3, who were girls very quickly but the youngest, a boy was horrendous and also kept stripping off all his clothes including nappies 🫣😱

MissAdventure

It all seems a bit too casual, these days.
I was like a hawk at the dinner table, insisting on cutlery, and not talking with a full mouth, and staying at the table.

I do agree! Sit at the table to eat or high chair, learn to use cutlery and cup, don’t leave the table til meal ends, read to your little ones from birth and encourage them to dress and undress. It’s pretty basic stuff isn’t it?

Someone will come along in a minute to bleat about the people who don’t have a table.

HousePlantQueen

*Callistemon*, I too have read reports of children arriving in reception classes ill prepared in terms of toileting and use of cutlery. I wonder how this fits in though with nursery education which I had though was fairly comprehensive and available? One thing for certain is that the closure of many Surestart centres must have contributed to this.

Yes, they need to be reopened.
Such a loss.

Germanshepherdsmum

Someone will come along in a minute to bleat about the people who don’t have a table.

That really made me smile!! We sometimes eat in the living room, but we have a fold up table we use so we are still eating at the table!!

Well....
It does seem that what is acceptable for "some people" might be judged if it were others.

Germanshepherdsmum

Someone will come along in a minute to bleat about the people who don’t have a table.

Made me giggle. Sometimes I do think stuff it, I'll sit on the sofa but soon realise I do actually need to sit to the table. Which I do 99% of the time anyway.

Now, if I said, "I live on benefits, in a council flat and dont sit at the table to eat.
Can't afford wine, so me and grandson have a can of lager with our dinner....."