Published: 01/09/2026
UK parents believe confidence, communication and independence are more important than reading, writing and counting when it comes to helping children feel prepared for school, according to new research* from Busy Bees.
As thousands of children prepare to start reception this week, almost a third of parents (31%) say confidence to ask for help is the skill children most commonly lack when they start school, followed by talking about feelings (29%) and learning to share and take turns (28%). By comparison, fewer than one in five parents identify reading (19%) or writing (17%) as common challenges, while just 9% identify counting.
The findings highlight what Busy Bees calls the ‘Invisible Skills’ - the social, emotional and practical abilities that help children feel settled, confident and ready to learn as they transition into the classroom including; the confidence to ask for help, communication and expressing feelings, independence and self-care, social skills including sharing and taking turns, and emotional resilience and adapting to change.
Jenny Shaw, Education Expert at Busy Bees said: “Starting school is not a test of how much a child already knows - it’s about how confident they feel to learn, communicate and navigate a new environment.
“Children who can ask for help, communicate their feelings and adapt to new situations are well placed to settle into school successfully. These are what we call the Invisible Skills - and they are the foundations that allow children to thrive once they enter the classroom.
“The findings support Busy Bees' Bee Curious curriculum, which places equal emphasis on communication, emotional wellbeing, confidence and independence alongside early learning, rather than formalised or pressured learning. This gives children the space to develop at their own pace, while gradually gaining the skills they need for the next stage in their education.”
Parents' biggest worries also centre on emotional rather than academic development. One third (33%) worry their child will struggle to manage emotions and change, while 30% are concerned about confidence and 26% about making friends. Just 15% say keeping up academically is their greatest concern.
The research also suggests that parents are already prioritising these practical and emotional skills in the run-up to starting school. More than 1 in 3 said helping their children with toilet training (41%), would receive the most attention before school starts, followed by the confidence to ask for help (36%), following simple instructions (31%) and talking about their feelings (27%).
Similarly, when asked what matters most for children preparing to start school, UK parents ranked being toilet trained (40%), the confidence to ask for help (39%) and following simple instructions (34%) at the top of the list.
To see the Invisible Skills come to life, Busy Bees nurseries across the UK are holding an Open Day Week from Monday 21st September to Friday 25th September. During the Open Day, families can tour the nursery, meet the team and ask questions, and experience the Bee Curious curriculum in action. For more information and to book a visit, please click here.
*The research was conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 2000 parents, aged 18-55, across England, Wales and Scotland, with children aged under 1-6, or respondents expecting a child. The data was collected between 29/07/26 - 04/08/26.