What is school readiness?
It's the skills a child needs to be able to settle into reception easily and confidently.
It includes a child being able to:
- Go to the toilet without supervision, including washing hands
- Get dressed with minimal help, for example, after using the toilet, or putting coats on, or getting changed for PE lessons
- Self-regulate emotions, particularly when things don't go their way, for example being able to share
- Spend time away from parents/carers
- Listen to and follow instructions
- Pay attention for short periods of time
Ideally, a child will learn and practise these school readiness skills at home and in early years settings (e.g. at nursery or with a childminder), before they reach reception, but you'll probably get at least a few children who struggle in some areas of school readiness.
Tackling issues around school