Highlights of the year !

Bold beginnings – Nov 2017 X School Readiness Narrowing the early years curriculum. Pre-School Learning Alliance “The concept of ‘school-readiness’ is a problematic one. We at the Alliance firmly believe that children develop at their own pace and that policy focus should be on ensuring that schools are ready for children, and not the other way around” The Guardian “Educationists and politicians say introducing overly formal teaching practices is a potential disaster for children’s learning” Formal teaching - Ignores child development What about self- regulation? Building on children’s existing knowledge?? What about EAL, SEND, Summer born children, ….

School Transition

School Transition Some of the expected characteristics that should be displayed by a child to show school readiness; Independent in toileting Able to dress themselves Understands expected levels of behaviour Confidence and self-esteem Can take turns and share Can sit still for a short period Can separate from parents/carers Communication and language skills needed to communicate needs and listen to others Can actively learn and creatively and critically think

How we support your child’s journey We encourage children to do things for themselves – to develop the skills needed for independence (use the toilet, get themselves dressed, make their own choices, clear things away when they are done, etc)

We use golden rules – these rules encourage children to use expected levels of behaviour in the setting. We use praise and encouragement to support children’s confidence.

We focus on communication and language development and turn-taking We focus on communication and language development and turn-taking. We provide opportunities to play games, sing songs , hold circle time sessions, show and tell sessions, etc. WE HAVE FUN!

Pre-reading and pre-writing skills – we provide opportunities for children to develop these skills

Can actively learn and creatively and critically think

We work closely with parents – home visits, “wow cards”, first day observations, regular observations, parent consultation’s, tracking sheets, reports, etc

Environmental factors School (ready for individual children, play-based curriculum which motivates and engages children) Child (willingness to learn, self-confidence, Characteristics of Effective Learning, Self-regulation) Environmental factors (cultural context, political climate, socio-economic influences) Setting (support child’s individual needs, foster characteristics of Effective Learning and independence) Home (supportive home learning environment, basic needs met, secure attachment, parents work patterns)

Questions !

For more information. www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jan/16/ofsteds-bold- beginnings-report-on-reception-class-curriculum-is-flawed www.early-education.org.uk/news/whats-wrong-ofsteds-bold- beginnings-report http://www.earlyyearscareers.com/eyc/latest-news/what-is-school- readiness/ https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of- concern/writing/writing-readiness-pre-writing-skills/ https://abcsofliteracy.com/pre-reading-skills-successful- readers/?cn-reloaded=1