Ready, steady, go!An easy guide to help your child to be:

…ready for school…ready to learn…ready to succeed

• In Swindon, we have worked together to help every parent and carer to get their child ready for school.

• To do well in school children need to practise using pencils, paintbrushes, knives and forks, to listen and share and to say what they need.

• This leaflet will give you tips so that you can make sure your child is ready for school.

• Do not worry if your child cannot do these things by the time they start school - just keep practising together.

• You are your child’s first teacher: trying the tips in this leaflet will really help your child.

SWINDONSTORIES

Inspiring change through words

There’s so much you can do to help your child prepare for school!

ReadyEncourage your child to dress themselves, practise buttons and zips.

Talk to your child about what you are doing around the house and involve them in chores such as putting the washing in the washing machine.

Switch off technology for a while every evening and talk to your child about their day.

Read a story together every day and talk about what happens in the story.

Encourage your child to ask politely for things and tell your child that it is okay to ask for help.

Praise your child for any effort and for trying and not giving up!

SteadySing songs, and rhymes daily, in the car or around the house. You can even make up silly rhymes together!

Encourage your child to question why things happen, ask questions yourself and give them lots of ideas to think about.

Eat with your child and talk to them during mealtimes.

Allow your child to do things for themselves during mealtimes such as pour their own drinks and help lay the table.

Show your child how to wash and dry their own hands and talk about why they need to do this.

Encourage your child to play with other children, make friends and share toys.

Go!Give your child lots of praise for helping and sharing foods and waiting their turn at mealtimes.

Play alongside your child and introduce new words to describe what you are doing and why.

Buy and explore new foods together and involve your child in shopping and preparing meals.

Find a fun activity to do every day to get your child’s hands moving, such as playdough, threading and sorting beads, painting or baking.

Teach your child how to use the toilet without your help and then wash and dry hands.

Join the library, borrow books and go to rhyme time sessions.

Remember to check the school admissions website for key dates: swindon.gov.uk/info/20071/school_places_and_admissions

SWINDONSTORIES

Inspiring change through words

Ready….steady...go...to school!

If you have any worries talk to your child’s key worker, health visitor or GP

Has your child had their preschool vaccinations?

Attend a nursery, preschool or childminding setting, as this will support your child develop all the skills they need to be ready to start school

Talk to your child about the school day and visit the local schools

Let your child practise putting on their school uniform

Take your child to your local library. It is free to join and free to borrow books

Read with your child for 10 minutes every day.

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swindonstories.org.uk #SwindonStories

National Literacy TrustFor more tips and literacy-boosting resources visit Words for Life

wordsforlife.org.uk

My Care My SupportSwindon’s care and support information and advice website for all

mycaremysupport.co.uk

BookstartFind information about books and look at the online activities to support reading and writing

bookstart.org.uk

Swindon librariesFind your local library that runs storytelling and rhyme time sessions

swindon.gov.uk/libraries

Swindon Borough CouncilFind a range of services that the council provides to support you and your child

swindon.gov.uk

Swindon early yearsInformation about free two-year-old funding and other information linked to early years and childcare

swindon.gov.uk/info/20045/family_support_services

Signpost to servicesSome useful and helpful contacts