School Readiness 

Parent/Carer Information

• Author ID: AB/MG
• Leaflet ref: WSN 002
• Version: 2
• Leaflet title: School Readiness
• Last review: April 2024
• Expiry date: April 2026

Introduction 

Preparation for school begins in the very earliest stages of a child’s life. This leaflet aims to help you understand what you can do to get your child off to the best start, to be school ready! 

Why is school readiness important? 

Children who enter school ready to learn are more likely to succeed at school and achieve throughout their life. 

Encouraging physical, social and emotional development through play is the key to school readiness. 

School readiness has three layers: 

• Ready children –prepared for learning and development 
• Ready families – positive about learning, creating opportunities for your child’s early learning and development at home and at school 
• Ready schools - quality education and learning environments that are child friendly and flexible to your child’s needs 

School readiness begins at birth! 

School readiness is taught through play! 

Attachment with main carer is the foundation for all developmental milestones to be achieved. 

Responding to your child’s needs is key to supporting their growth and development.  Maintain a stimulating home environment by: 

• Talking to your baby or child 
• Singing to and with your baby or child 
• Reading and looking at books with your baby or child 
• Providing opportunities for floor play and tummy time  

You can help your child get ready for school by: 

• Practising counting, saying letters, identifying shapes and colours 
• Providing regular bedtime and meal-time routines 
• Opportunities for play – with you and with other children 
• Developing your child’s independence when using the toilet, hand washing and dressing 

Get in Touch 

Your Health Visiting team are available to offer support in relation to School readiness prior to your child starting school. They can be contacted on the following number: 

Health Visiting Duty Number 0300 707 1243 

School Nursing Team 

When your child starts school, care will pass from the Health Visiting to School Nursing team. You can contact School Nursing via their Duty Number on Telephone: 

0300 707 1091

School nurses are specialist practitioners that work across education and health to provide a link between school, home and the community. Your School Nurse Team can provide: 

• Health assessments 
• Home visits 
• General health advice 
• Support with concerns 
• Immunisations
• Care plans in school 
• Health promotion 
• Safeguarding
• Links to other services 

Both Health Visiting and School Nursing phonelines are available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm with an answerphone operating at busy times. Leave your name, number and message and they will get back to you. 

Some Useful Websites 

Health Visiting Team on Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039831821739 

School Nursing Team on Twitter (we are also on Facebook Wigan & Leigh School Nursing)

Twitter: @WWL_SchoolNursing 

Free Ready for School Leaflet from the Professional Association for Childcare & Early 

Years https://www.pacey.org.uk/working-in-childcare/spotlight-on/being-schoolready/#readyforschool 

Wigan Council Schools Page 

https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Education/Schools/Schools.aspx 

Childhood vaccinations - is your child’s up to date? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/

School Nursing                                                 Health Visiting