Getting ready for a happy start to school
Starting Reception is a big milestone for children and their families. At Euxton Primrose Hill, we want every child to feelsafe, confident, happy and excited about starting school.
Being ready for school does not mean that your child needs to be able to read, write or complete lots of academic tasks before they arrive. Children develop at different rates, and there is no single checklist that every child needs to have completed.
Instead, school readiness is about developing the confidence, independence, communication and social skills that help children settle into school and make the most of their learning and experiences.
💚 What can you do at home?
There are lots of simple things you can do together as part of everyday family life.
🗣️ Talk, listen and communicate
Encourage your child to talk about their experiences, ask questions and explain what they are thinking and feeling.
You can help by:
- talking together about what you are doing
- sharing stories and books every day
- singing songs and nursery rhymes
- encouraging your child to listen and take turns in conversations
- helping them learn words to describe their feelings and needs.
👕 Encourage independence
Starting school brings lots of new routines. Helping your child to do things for themselves can make this transition much easier.
Encourage your child to practise:
- putting on and taking off their coat
- managing zips, buttons and shoes
- using the toilet independently
- washing and drying their hands
- opening their lunchbox and using cutlery
- looking after their belongings
- asking an adult for help when they need it.
🤝 Develop social and emotional skills
Children benefit from opportunities to play with others, share, take turns and manage small disagreements.
Help your child to:
- take turns and share
- listen to others
- talk about their feelings
- develop friendships
- try something new
- persevere when something is difficult
- understand that it is okay to make mistakes.
🌳 Play, explore and be active
Children learn through play and everyday experiences.
Give your child plenty of opportunities to:
- play indoors and outdoors
- explore nature
- run, climb, jump and develop their physical skills
- build, create and make things
- draw, paint and practise using pencils and other tools
- explore numbers through everyday activities such as cooking, shopping and playing games.
📚 Reading Together
One of the most valuable things you can do before your child starts school is share books together.
You don't need to teach your child to read before they start Reception.
Instead, enjoy books together. Talk about the pictures, predict what might happen next, discuss characters and encourage your child to tell you what they think.
Most importantly, make reading enjoyable.
We want every child who joins Primrose Hill to develop a love of books and stories, and this begins long before they become fluent readers.
🏫 Getting Ready for Primrose Hill
We know that starting school can feel exciting and sometimes a little daunting.
That's why our transition begins before your child's first day.
We take time to get to know every child and their family through our transition arrangements and home visits. These opportunities help us learn about your child's interests, strengths, experiences and any support they may need.
We want children to arrive at Primrose Hill feeling that they already know us and that we know them.
You can find more information about our EYFS provision on our Early Years Foundation Stage page.
🌟 Every Child Is Different
Every child develops at their own pace.
If your child cannot yet do everything described above, please don't worry.These are skills that develop over time, and your child's early years setting and school will work with you to support their development.
If you have concerns about your child's development or feel that they may need additional support when they start school, please talk to us. We would much rather have an early conversation so that we can work together to make the transition as positive as possible.
🔗 Useful Resources for Families
We've collected some useful websites and resources to help you and your child prepare for starting school.
Starting Reception
Practical advice and activities to help children and families prepare for Reception.
GOV.UK – Preparing for School
Official guidance and advice for families preparing for their child's first year of school.
Lancashire County Council – School Readiness
Lancashire's definition and resources for helping children prepare for starting school.
There is no perfect way to prepare your child for school.
Talk. Play. Read. Explore. Encourage independence.
Most importantly, enjoy this special time together.
