A new report this week found nearly 90% of Auckland primary school say there's an increasing number of new entrants starting school without bare basic skills like being toilet trained and talking properly.

These are 5 year olds who are otherwise capable, but some stage of their early childhood seems to have been neglected - they can't even identify the letters of their name or hold a pencil. 

As harsh as it may be, the blame does have to land somewhere. 

LISTEN ABOVE

A new report this week found nearly 90% of Auckland primary school say there's an increasing number of new entrants starting school without bare basic skills like being toilet trained and talking properly.
These are 5 year olds who are otherwise capable, but some stage of their early childhood seems to have been neglected - they can't even identify the letters of their name or hold a pencil.&nbsp;
As harsh as it may be, the blame does have to land somewhere.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

If it takes a village to raise a child, it must take a whole country to raise a family! Newstalk ZB’s Parent Squad helps to do just that. Joined by expert guests The Weekend Collective team delves into the complexities of Kiwi family life.

The Parent Squad

Kathryn Berkett: Who's dropping the ball with new entrants?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7bf16ec4-57c6-48ea-ba21-b3ea00506bf0/transcript