Social effects of the pandemic are no longer an excuse for the decline in school readiness among reception-age children, say teachers. Some children are starting reception classes unable to climb a staircase, have poor muscle development from too much time spent on screens and many aren't potty trained.

The findings from a survey of teachers across Wales and England comes after one local authority in Wales told parents that from this term they must come in to change their children's nappies if they start school not toilet trained. Some teachers answering the survey said the “Covid baby” explanation now feels like an excuse.

Blaenau Gwent local education authority told parents that from this month they must come in and change their children in nursery and reception classes. The council sent letters to parents saying the amount of time school staff are having to spend changing children sent to school without being potty trained is affecting teaching and learning time and you can read more about that here.You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.

Now a survey from research group Savanta, for early years charity Kindred, has found that nearly half of the teachers in Wales and England in the poll reported a further decline in school readiness in the last year. As well as around one in four children reportedly not potty trained when they started school last September some also arrived with poor basic motor skills and underdeveloped muscles – thought to be the result of excessive screen use.

Clumsiness, delayed walking, and pupils using Americanisms picked up from being online were also reported among school starters. Teachers agreed that lockdown restrictions had been a factor but one senior teacher told the survey: “There’s only so long you can blame Covid for that. I’m sorry but a lot of it comes down to parenting as well."

Less than half (44%) of the 1,000 parents of reception-aged children who replied to a parallel survey said they thought children should know how to use books correctly, turning the pages rather than swiping or tapping as if using an electronic device, when they started school. But most, three in four, agreed that toilet training was something a child should have achieved before reception.

Parents appeared to be over-confident though with nine in 10 judging their child ready for school against one in three teachers who said not. But both groups agreed that lack of access to health visitors was a factor.

More than eight in 10 teachers fear the cost of living crisis will continue to have a significant effect on school readiness. Some told the survey that parents are now so busy working they don't have a chance to spend quality time with their children to develop basic playing and conversation skills.

Tiffnie Harris from the Association of School and College Leaders believes many parents are struggling with money worries and there's a lack of support. Responding to the new rules in Blaenau Gwent earlier this month Laura Doel, NAHT Cymru national secretary, said: "We have had some school leaders reporting that an increasing number of children in school are not always hitting those key milestones before they arrive including their self-care needs. School leaders therefore welcomed Blaenau Gwent’s decision to intervene on this issue and we are working closely with the local authority to help ensure all children get the support they need. Of course where children have additional needs it is vital they and their families are provided with extra support they need from the appropriate agencies.”