Is your child ready for school?

School Readiness?
At Mucky Pups we are always preparing our children for life and being ready for school is a huge part of that. We prepare our children to be ready for school by showing them how to be curious, imaginative and independent beings who can cope who can self regulate their emotions and are ready to separate from us and you and go to school with a spring in their step and without a backward glance.

The things we teach your child from day one are to be able to;:

• Find their peg and put their coat on it themselves in the morning when they come to us
• Put their bags, lunch boxes and drinks in the correct places so they can find them at lunch; firts with support and then independently.
• Put their coats, on for outdoor play independently and attempt to do up their zip - though this can be a bit tricky depending on the style of coat and type of zip!
• Change their shoes, put wellies on and change back into their shoes independently.
• To use the toilet independently. 
• Feed themselves their packed lunch. Open the box, peel the banana open the crisp packet and use a knife and fork correctly. All children in Reception and years 1 and 2 receive a free hot meal at lunchtime but they have to be able to feed it to themselves or they won't eat!.
• Sit still on the carpet and listen to a story, song adult or other child for circle time and join in.
• Being confident to talk to adults and other children and not be afriad to ask questions
• Love listening to stories 
• recognise sounds in the environment and sounds

What is school readiness is NOT'?

• ​holding a pencil properly 
  
• writing their name
• reading letters
  
• knowing their numbers to 100
  

This is what school is for!!

How can I help my child be ready for school?

You can help your child be ready for school by helping them to be independent like we do. Give your children lots and lots of love, support and encouragement but also let them opportunities to try things out for themselves.

Here's a list of ideas below.

• Talk to your child about starting school, get some books about starting school so this can start the conversation;
  
• Make things together let them design it and take the lead..
• Spent time outside and get plenty of fresh air.
  
• Encourage your little one to play independently as well as with you.
• Read lots of differnt kinds of books, show your child the words, follow the words with your finger. Encourage them to talk about the book, make up different endings and ask questions
• Encourage your little one to feed themselves and try a wide variety of foods.
• Wean them off their dummy if they have one particularly during the day.
• Encourage them to walk everywhere and try to stop using the buggy. 
• Help your child to be ready to write not by writing more but by developing their fine motor skills through play. Some three and four-year-olds simply aren't interested in writing, but there are lots of activities your child can do to develop their fine motor skills. They could play with washing pegs, playdough, squeezy bottles, bubbles, build really tall towers with blocks, paint, cut and glue.

How we help the school be ready for my child?

• Chat to your child's teacher about how your child is in nursery, their friends, the things they like to do and what they don't like to do
  
• Send them an "All About Me" from your child
• send a transition document letting them know where your child is in terms of the EYFS
• Invite them in to visit your child in nursery.

How cab you help the school be ready for my child?

• Attend the meetings you are invited to
• Speak to your child's teacher about your child especially if they have particular needs
  

How can you be ready for your child to start school?

• Be confident in your choice
• Be organised
• Be POSITIVE about the move to your child no matter how you feel.
• Buy the uniform in plenty of time.
• Walk your route to school to see how long it takes you and plan your route.
• Practise the new routine in plenty of time.
• Plan something nice for after drop off

And remember this the start of a whole new adventure for you and your child, embrace it and enjoy!