Guidance released today suggests that school staff should make visits to nurseries to support young children before they start Reception, aiming to enhance the transition process. Additionally, early years staff and child minders are advised to participate in transition events like stay-and-play sessions or teddy bears’ picnics at schools to provide comfort to the children.
The Department for Education (DfE) has issued new guidelines for teachers and early years staff in response to concerns about children starting school without essential skills, such as using the toilet, handling cutlery, or brushing their teeth. The focus is on improving the readiness of children for school.
The new recommendations emphasize collaboration between school staff and nursery workers to ensure a smooth transition for children between different educational settings. The primary school offer day is highlighted as a crucial milestone marking the beginning of a child’s school journey.
Nursery workers are encouraged to engage children by reading books about starting school and showing pictures of classrooms to help them familiarize themselves with the new environment. The guidance also stresses the importance of promoting independence among children in various tasks.
Labour leader Keir Starmer has set a target for 75% of five-year-olds to be school-ready by 2028. Recent statistics show that the school readiness rate has varied, with different sources presenting conflicting figures.
In conjunction with the new national campaign on school readiness, early years charity Kindred has released guidance endorsed by the DfE to equip children with the necessary skills for school. The launch of Labour’s Best Start Family Hubs across local authorities aims to provide parenting support, health services, and assistance with children’s development.
Olivia Bailey from Early Education emphasized the importance of families receiving support from the moment they secure a school place. By fostering collaboration between schools, nurseries, childminders, and families, the goal is to ensure that every child starts school confidently and prepared to learn.