Despite the Prime Minister setting a target of 75 per cent of children being ‘school ready’ by 2028, there is currently no official description of ‘school readiness’.
To help parents, carers and children, Kindred Squared along with nursery groups, organisations and charities concerned with education, have come together to define, for the first time, what they believe being ready to start Reception actually means. All the information and recommendations for parents, cares and families are available on the new Starting Reception website.
The ‘Starting Reception’ definition of school readiness is an agreed list of suggested skills and activities which parents should be practising with their children in preparation for starting school in Reception year.
It comes after nine out of 10 parents surveyed by Kindred Squared this year said they thought their child was ready for school, while according to teachers, only one in three children were actually ready.
The new definition lists recommendations in four categories for children arriving at Reception, to help them develop a range of abilities and the confidence to get off to a flying start, they are:
- Growing independence
- Building relationships and communication
- Physical development
- Healthy routines
Activities and skills listed under the categories that should be introduced into children's daily lives include:
- The ability to use cutlery
- The ability to use the toilet by themselves
- Being able to take turns and share toys
- Recognising their names
- Being able to hang coats on pegs
- Being able to pay attention for short periods of time
- Having the ability to talk about their feelings
- Being active for at least three hours a day
- Being able to put their coats on
- Limiting screen time is also recommended
The coalition whose members include Busy Bees Childcare, LEYF, Tiney, National Day Nurseries Association, Early Years Alliance, PACEY and Dingley’s Promise, want the new definition of ‘Starting Reception’ skills to be adopted nationwide.
The education secretary Bridget Phillipson said, ‘This new resource will be a vital tool for parents as they navigate the myriad information out there to support their child’s early development, and it’s brilliant to see Kindred Squared and the wider sector coming together on something so central to children’s life chances.’
Felicity Gillespie, director of Kindred Squared, commented, ‘Too many parents say they don’t know what sorts of skills their children should be developing prior to starting school or where to go for help. I’m delighted this partnership of leading education groups and charities is trying to close that information gap to ensure all children get an equal start from their very first day at school.
‘We want to see official backing for this new definition and for it to become the definition adopted by every local authority, primary school and early education and childcare setting in the UK as well as parents and carers.
‘This new definition, backed by many leading experts and trusted partners, will help parents and carers ensure their children reach school readiness milestones so that they can be confident they are ready to start school and thrive from day one.’
