New campaign to get children ready to start school

A new campaign to get children ready to start school has been launched by the Education Secretary Kirsty Williams (Mon 4th July).

‘Ready to Learn’ is designed to help parents and carers prepare their child for school through a range of engaging resources available from schools and nurseries.

Aimed at parents and carers of children who are aged four or soon to be starting school, the resources will provide advice and tips on how to prepare children for the transition from play to more structured learning.

The materials that will be available include:

• A ready to learn activity leaflet.
• An activity chart for parents and carers to work through with their child to help prepare their transition to primary school.
• A short video animation to talk parents and carers through what they can do at home with their child to get them ready for school.

The drive forms part of the Education Begins at Home campaign to help bridge the learning gap between the most affluent and deprived pupils by demonstrating to parents and carers how the little things they do at home can help their child in school.

Kirsty Williams will launch the campaign during a visit to Ysgol Gynradd Treorchy.

She said:

“Starting school is a huge change in a young child’s life, and a big adjustment for parents too. What happens at home is the single biggest factor in a child’s educational attainment.

“Being able to help children to develop those all-important life skills at home – being curious, confident and ready to learn – will help make it a positive and exciting experience from their very first day.

“This initiative will help create an environment which values education and supports learning to give our children a significant head start as they begin their journey through school.”