There's fears parents aren't teaching their children basic skills like talking, eating, or using the toilet.

The Auckland Primary Principals’ Association reports 87 percent of schools say children now need more support than ever before.

92 percent say new entrants don’t know the letters in their own name.

Psychologist Sara Chatwin says it raises questions about what's going on at home.

"And then I think it speaks to how important good quality early childhood education is - in that it's really helping those kids transition from that state to school."

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