The term pre-schooler refers to a child who will be able to enter a Reception Class the academic year following their 4th birthday, that is those who become 4 from 1st September to 31st August inclusive.
Getting children ready to start school (school readiness) is a huge part of the Government’s agenda. Year after year schools are noticing a decline in the numbers of children who are actually ready for school. Teachers note a lack in children’s speech, their concentration, their behaviour and their enthusiasm. They are also noting a lack in basic skills such as the ability to undress and dress themselves for outside play or PE - full advice and support for your childs development can be found at the Best start in Life parent hub.
Our children are immersed in activities that help them – we have discussion times to acquire richer language and to gain the confidence to speak in a group; drama where we bring books to life; ‘experiments’ where nothing is taught, but discoveries are made; ‘projects’ led by children’s interests; meaningful, practical maths and ‘story maths’ and regular practices of coats, socks and shoes on and off.
We go out on walks to discover Autumn treasures, Winter wonders, Spring Surprises and Summer Sensations. We create a play out of our version of ‘The Christmas Story’ and invite our families in to see it. We had our 40th consecutive performance in 2024. We sing a lot, draw a lot, create a lot, and learn to love learning.
During the second half of the summer term we will liaise with the schools our children will be going to, have school uniforms to dress up in, invite their new teachers in to meet the children, and children complete their ‘going to school book’ – a little piece of ‘work’ designed to show their new teacher how capable they are – how ‘school ready’.
We encourage parents to let the children to come back for care in the school holidays during their reception year, and we hear from parents about how they have fitted in, made new friends, and are taking to their new curriculum like a duck to water.
