A worrying number of British children are turning up for their first day at school unable to read their own name, wash their own hands or use the toilet on their own.

An international study has revealed that more than a third of UK primary school teachers think that many youngsters are starting school before they are mature enough.

Teachers said a significant proportion of four and five-year-olds are incapable of basic hygiene care, like washing hands, or reading simple words including even…