School-readiness
We know that early help and early intervention is more effective in promoting the welfare of children than reacting later.
As an early years provider you are often the first point of call when families have concerns or need advice and as such are well placed to signpost to other agencies or put appropriate support into place within the setting. You have a crucial role to play.
At SEHAS we can offer advice and resources and help build your capacity, knowledge and confidence in this area.
Useful resources
Alfred the Mouse is an early years practitioners resource developed by the Taunton Early Years community in 2016. The resource is a virtual resource which can be used directly with children in an Early Years setting giving virtual tours of schools so children can explore their new school.
Children First – Pathways to School Readiness
A pack, produced by Somerset Council, with contributions and case studies from many providers across Somerset. It gives guidance, information, ideas and inspiration, and will help support you in ensuring that the children of Somerset are best supported for a happy transition to school. Each toolkit also includes a USB stick where you can find everything included in this pack as well as many more hints, tips, facts and figures. Just like our understanding of school readiness, this pack is going to evolve over time. You will be able to download the toolkit to your USB stick as it is updated and use both the USB stick and the folder to store any other useful information you have.
Ideas for effective transitions
This is a list of suggestions for early years educators which has been taken from an Early Years Alliance Project called Flying Start Luton. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and some suggestions may not be relevant to your school or setting, however we hope that you find some ideas you like!
Family learning, parenting and school readiness | early years alliance (eyalliance.org.uk)
Let’s Get Ready for School is a three-week interactive programme with themed sessions on Independence, Fingers and Tools and My First Day at School. We provide families with knowledge as parents are their child’s main educator, enabling them to support the learning and development to school readiness and transition to school through everyday activities.
Helping disadvantaged children start school – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Great examples of successful early years providers ensure that disadvantaged children are prepared to start school.
Hungry Little Minds – Family Toolbox
A government initiative launched in 2019. The project came to an end in 2021, however resources are still hosted on the Hungry Little Minds family toolbox site. The main content has now also been incorporated into the “Better Health Start for Life “website, which is part of the NHS overarching umbrella.
Hungry Little Minds is another resource aimed at parents and educators to promote speech and language skills for children using fun interactive games and ideas. Contact 0370 000 2288
https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/learning-to-talk/3-to-5-years/
Roadtoschool (oxfordshire.gov.uk)
Colourful poster to display where parents and carers can view all about being school ready and what steps to take.
Tiny Happy People is here to help develop children’s language skills. Explore the simple activities and play ideas and find out about babies and toddlers amazing early development. An online BBC resource to support parents and educators with promoting children’s language, communication and literacy skills. Contains many useful ideas and short video clips.
All children develop at their own pace, and are learning from birth. When it’s time to start school, some children will need more help than others.
There are key skills that schools expect children to be learning before their first day. Practising these will make children’s journey to Reception as positive as possible. Lots can be done at home to build children’s confidence and independence, helping them feel emotionally and practically prepared to start school.
Every child’s journey to school starts at home. Share this website and it’s resources with your families.
Training
The Early Years Alliance is delighted to offer a new training package to support early years settings including childminders, to deliver early help to children and families in Somerset.
If you would like to discuss in-person training, please email earlyhelpsomerset@eyalliance.org.uk or call 01392 304 484 or 01393 304 573
Online training and networking
We know that Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plays a vital role in motivating and inspiring reflective early years practice, enhancing learning opportunities for children and helping to deliver positive Ofsted inspection outcomes.
That’s why we are so passionate about delivering online training and networking opportunities that are affordable, flexible and fun through our popular Virtual Classrooms, Spotlights and Connect sessions:
Alliance Virtual Classrooms are online training sessions for early years professionals, with prices starting at just £23 per person for members and £33 for non-members for a two-hour session.
Alliance Spotlights are bite-size CPD sessions that offer a unique deep-dive into key aspects of early years topics. Each one-hour session is just £12 for members and £24 for non-members.