Call on government to support new definition of ‘school readiness’
A Coalition of education and childcare organisations including NDNA has launched a new standard of skills for children starting school.
This new ‘Starting Reception’ definition on school readiness has been created following the latest Kindred Squared annual report which highlighted an information gap between teachers and parents.
The latest survey reported that teachers and parents have very different views on the meaning of school readiness. The report revealed that while nine of out ten parents thought their child was ready for school, in contrast only one in three children were ready for school according to teachers. In addition, one in five parents were not aware of school readiness.
Aimed at closing this communication gap, the ‘Starting Reception’ definition of school readiness has been created as a list of suggested skills and activities for parents and carers to follow and practise with their children to prepare them for starting school in Reception.
Purnima Tanuku CBE, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said: “It was a privilege to be part of the coalition that worked on this new definition of starting reception skills.
“We know how important the transition from early years settings to school is and how instrumental early education and care providers are in working with parents to support a child’s development. Milestones can be a helpful tool, but they must be well understood and seen in the individual context of each child.
“When phrases like school readiness are shared it can often mean different things to different people, so it’s been really important to work on a clearer definition that supports parents and carers when thinking about their children starting school.”
There is currently no official definition of school readiness, and this new definition comes after the Prime Minister’s pledge to raise the number of children who are ‘school ready’ to 75%.
The four categories of recommendation for parents and carers to follow are:
* Growing independence
* Building relationships and communication
* Physical development
* Healthy routines
Parents and carers are provided with links to organisations that offer practical guidance and support to incorporate skills into daily routines at home whilst having fun. These include:
* Able to use cutlery
* Use the toilet by themselves
* Being able to take turns and share toys
* Recognising their names
* Hanging coats on pegs
* Paying attention for short periods of time
* Drawing, painting or colouring in
* Talking about their feelings
* Being active for at least 3 hours a day
* Limiting screen time is also recommended
* Put their own coats on
* Brushing their teeth twice a day
Felicity Gillespie, Director, Kindred Squared said:
“Our annual school readiness reports consistently highlight a persistent problem. There is a deeply worrying gap between what teachers expect children starting in Reception to be able to handle from day one when compared with what parents say their children are able to do.
“Too many parents say they don’t know what sorts of skills their children should be developing prior to starting school. 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.”
- England
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