Four-year-old children are starting primary school with limited speech and no toilet training, according to concerned doctors.
In one class one in five new starters were still using dummies and a third of pupils did not know how to brush their teeth.
And while some nursery children can swipe mobile electronic devices, they are unable to turn the pages of a book or use a spoon.
Doctors at six GP practices in Swansea have made the claims after announcing the recruitment of a specialist worker to work closely with families in order to break the cycle of underdeveloped parenting skills repeating across generations.
Practitioners at the city’s Penderi Cluster Network say too many children lack even the most basic skills when they start school.
'Parents lack skills'
Dr Ruth Dare, a GP at Cwmfelin Medical Centre, said: “Through no fault of their own, many parents lack basic parenting skills.
“This is often as a result of never receiving stable consistent parenting when they were young and we need to break this cycle.
“We’re taking a holistic approach to improve outcomes for both parents and children.
“Our early years worker will be working directly with families in surgery or community centres in groups, or as one to one if needed.”
Across Swansea last year, 35% of four-year-olds failed to meet the expected level of development when they started school, and in some schools only a quarter of children achieved that level.
Dr Dare said that in families where there was substance misuse issues or chaotic lifestyles, GPs often witnessed this cycle repeating into the next generation.
National report
This issue has just been highlighted in a new Public Health Wales report into the effects of adverse experiences in childhood (ACEs).
It found that a poor start in life affected children’s health well into adulthood
Children with four or more ACEs as they grow up are more likely to get lung or heart disease later in life.
They are also more likely to be a victim or perpetrator of violence.
The new early years worker will work closely with ante and post natal services; health visitors, the early intervention team and family clinics within the local community.
'Giving a head start'
The focus will be on communicating with young families offering advice and guidance, and helping them to access other support services like substance misuse agencies.
The post is funded 80% by the GP Cluster; 10 per cent by ABM University Health Board and 10 per cent by Swansea Council .
Dr Andy Bradley, Penderi GP lead and chair of the cluster network, said: “This partnership initiative will strengthen the services available for families in the Penderi area ensuring that parents are offered effective and timely support that will help give children a head start.”
The Swansea Healthy City Partnership has identified giving children the best start in life as a key priority. Research indicates that focusing on the health and wellbeing of a child — especially the first 1,000 days of a child’s life — will give a solid foundation for good health.
Swansea Council’s cabinet member for wellbeing and healthy city, Mark Child, said: “I am delighted at this appointment and congratulate the GPs in Penderi for their foresight. Giving a child the best start in life is the single biggest preventative measure that can be made.
“Its benefits go far beyond health and I hope this innovative appointment by the Penderi Cluster of GPs will encourage others to do the same.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/children-starting-primary-school-limited-12128247
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