School Readiness
School readiness definition refers to a child’s preparedness, both cognitively, socially and emotionally, to succeed in a school environment.
The first day of school is a big moment for all children. The everyday activities and learning that children do at home and in play settings can contribute to children being school ready.
90% of your child’s brain growth happens before the age of 5. All the little moments you spend together with your child helps to build their brain.
When looking and thinking about school readiness, there are skills that children will need to have developed to help them progress and flourish into the school environment.
These are skills such as:
- Independent feeding – use of cutlery managing food independently
- Communication skills – being able to communicate their wants, needs and dislikes.
- Cognitive skills such as basic understanding of instructions.
- Independent toileting / washing hands – being able to use the toilet independently and able to pull up trousers from ankle / knee length.
- Independent dressing and undressing for PE activities and being able to put on simple shoes with straps and fastenings, preferably no laces.
The local authority and NHS services often have support around school readiness, so if you feel that your child is not school ready in any of these area’s discussed, then reach out to your local authority or local Health Visiting team on the NHS and they should be able to provide you with further support in getting your child school ready.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) children often have other support in place already for when a child starts school such as EHCP’s and individual learning plans, these are likely to be included with other professionals who work with the child. There are also supportive agencies who can help families with EHCP’s and applying for EHCP’s.
Enfield Health Visiting Team
020 3988 7300 | northmid.enfieldchildhealth@nhs.net
