Readiness for school
School readiness for EYFS children is defined in terms of the aspects of the school environment that support a smooth transition for children (and their families) into primary school and advanced learning for all children.
It is the idea that parents, carers, early years settings and schools should support a child's growth and development in order to prepare them to start school.
All children, whatever age they are, are ready to learn. Even from birth, children have loads of fully functional cognitive processes. Within the initial four to five years of being alive, children mature really fast.
School readiness characteristics involve intellectual, physical, and social development standards which allow children to meet requirements and cope with the school curriculum.
Where a child's brain is specially programmed to prepare them for learning from an early age, it can actually be more about what a child is ready to learn, rather than whether they are ready to learn altogether.
Due to this, educators often make sure to put together new activities with which children can make meaningful connections.
Within Tiger Cubs we support School Readiness by;
Our role play will change into a school, using uniform from all the local schools
We will implement a new dropping off system, where parents will drop off and pick up from our door, this will support those first few days of School.
We will invite teachers into our nursery to meet the children to observe them playing in our environment
Allowing children to start recognising their name, becoming independent in putting their coat on, finding their items.
During group time we will introduce days of the week, a phonics session, identifying and recognising their own name
Encourage independence through dressing, undressing, using the toilet,
What are the key skills that may help children when starting school?
- Personal skills - Such as using the toilet and washing their hands independently.
- Independence and sharing - Such as taking turns and sharing with other children.
- Eating and drinking - Such as using cutlery or opening food containers in a lunch box.
- Speaking and listening - Such as listening to stories and asking adults for help.
- Reading and writing - Such as holding a pencil and recognising their name.
- Number skills - Such as counting to ten and singing nursery rhymes.