Parents instructed new colleges and nurseries steering to organize youngsters for Reception
The Department for Education has released fresh guidance for teachers and early years staff amid a crisis in children turning up to Reception not school-ready
Staff from schools should visit young children at nurseries during the summer before they start Receptio(Image: Getty Images)
Staff from schools should visit young children at nurseries during the summer before they start Reception to improve the transition between settings, new guidance says today.
Early years staff or child minders should also attend prospective kids’ transition events such as stay-and-play sessions or teddy bears’ picnics in schools to offer reassurance to little ones.
The Department for Education (DfE) has released guidance for teachers and early years staff amid a crisis in kids turning up to Reception not school-ready. Children are starting school without vital skills, including using the toilet, holding cutlery or brushing their teeth.
Under new guidance, school staff and nursery workers are urged to work together so that both sides can support the transition between education settings. Ministers have made clear to parents that primary school offer day is the “starting gun for children beginning their school education”.
Nursery workers are encouraged to read books about starting school or look at photos of classrooms to help children visualise their new environments.
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Elsewhere, the advice says educators in all settings should work together to encourage children to use the toilet independently, sit and listen to short stories or simple instructions and carry their own bag and belongings.
Keir Starmer has set a target for 75% of five-year-olds to be school-ready when starting reception by 2028.
Some 67.7% of kids were school ready in 2024 but, according to leading early years charity Kindred, this has now fallen to 63%, with 37% of kids not prepared for school. The Government says the figure has increased to 68.3%.
Labour’s latest guidance comes alongside a new national campaign on school readiness promoted by award-winning teacher and rapper MC Grammar. The musician has released a song on simple ways parents can practise key skills at home, including getting dressed and following instructions.
Kindred has also released guidance, which has been endorsed by the DfE, on preparing kids with the necessary skills for starting school.
The rollout of Labour’s Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority will also offer parenting advice, health services and help with children’s development, alongside the first ever guidance to help families manage screen time at home.
Early Education Olivia Bailey said: “From the moment families receive their school place, they should feel supported with simple, practical ways to help their child build confidence, independence and the skills they need for the classroom.
“By bringing schools, nurseries, childminders, and families closer together, we can make sure every child gets off to a strong start – arriving at school feeling settled and ready to learn.”
